Trump’s New Travel Ban Shakes the Globe — 12 Nations Blocked, More Could Follow

In a bold and controversial move, former President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping new travel ban that has left governments and immigration advocates scrambling for answers.

Citing urgent national security concerns, Trump has named 12 countries whose citizens will be completely barred from entering the United States starting June 9 — and he’s warning that more bans are coming soon.

But what triggered this sudden escalation? And why is Egypt, a long-time U.S. ally, being mentioned as the possible next target?

The Countries That Made the List — and Why

The full ban affects citizens of:

Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.

These bans apply to all immigrant visas and many types of non-immigrant travel, such as work or study permits. The administration claims these nations either fail to share security data, have high overstay rates, or lack proper vetting systems.

But what’s really behind the choices? And what’s the hidden pattern in these 12 nations?

7 More Countries Face Partial Visa Restrictions

In addition to the full ban, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela are facing serious visa limitations.

Their nationals will be subject to tighter restrictions, reduced visa validity, and in some cases, complete denials of entry.

The reasons behind these decisions reveal much more than what’s on the surface — including political messaging and possible campaign strategy.

Egypt on the Brink of Being Banned?

What really has the world watching closely is Trump’s unexpected threat to add Egypt to the banned list.

This follows a disturbing case in Colorado, where an Egyptian national allegedly firebombed a pro-Israel demonstration after overstaying his visa.

Trump didn’t hold back.

“We don’t want ’em,” he declared in a video, adding that unvetted migration from Egypt could soon end altogether.

The order instructs top officials to review Egypt’s screening systems immediately. Could this signal a major shift in U.S.-Middle East relations?

The Bigger Picture: National Security or Campaign Strategy?

Trump insists the bans are purely security-focused, but critics argue they double as political theatre. The new list closely mirrors his earlier 2017 travel ban, which was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court — but reversed by President Biden in 2021.

Trump now says he’s simply fulfilling a promise to protect American citizens, citing “one terror attack after another” from visa overstayers.

“It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or exploit immigration laws for malevolent purposes,” Trump wrote.

What About Athletes, Tourists, or Students?

In a surprising twist, Trump included an Olympic exemption: foreign athletes, coaches, and support staff will still be allowed to enter for major global events like the 2028 Los Angeles Games or the World Cup.

Why this exception? And does it signal anything about how the ban might evolve?