US President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban on Wednesday night. It blocks people from 12 countries from entering the United States. The affected countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Tougher Rules for Visitors from 7 More Countries

In addition, Trump imposed stricter entry rules on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These rules will take effect at 12:01 am on Monday.

Trump Cites National Security

Trump explained, “I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.”
Moreover, the White House confirmed that the ban will begin on Monday.

Recent Terror Attack Raises Alarm

Furthermore, Trump referred to the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. He said this event highlighted the “extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted.” In a video posted on X, he added,
“We don’t want them.”

Exceptions Made for Major Sports Events

However, the ban does not apply to athletes participating in the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico. It also excludes athletes at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Visa Ban on Harvard Foreign Students

On the same day, Trump announced a visa ban for foreign students planning to start at Harvard University. This move continues his tough policy toward institutions he considers liberal strongholds.

Trump Links New Ban to 2017 Travel Ban

Similarly, Trump compared this ban to his 2017 ban on Muslim-majority countries. Although that earlier ban caused disruption, Trump claimed it helped prevent terror attacks like those in Europe. He said, “We won’t let what happened in Europe happen here. We cannot allow people from countries we can’t properly vet to enter.”

Venezuela Reacts Strongly

Meanwhile, Venezuela criticized the U.S., calling it a dangerous place. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warned citizens against traveling there, saying, “Being in the United States is a great risk for anyone, not just Venezuelans.” Finally, Trump’s new travel ban may face legal challenges, just like several of his earlier bans.