Somalia Among 12 Nations Hit by New U.S. Travel Ban Under Trump Order

GOOBJOOG NEWS/Agencies | MOGADISHU: Somalia is among 12 countries targeted by a new U.S. travel ban signed by former President Donald Trump, in a policy that critics say unfairly singles out African and Muslim-majority nations.

The proclamation, issued Wednesday, blocks citizens from Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Chad, Eritrea, Congo, and Equatorial Guinea – all African nations, from entering the United States, citing national security concerns and inadequate vetting systems.

The ban also affects five other countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, and Yemen. It takes effect on Monday, June 9, at 12:01 a.m. ET and applies to foreign nationals currently outside the U.S. who do not hold valid visas.

In addition, partial restrictions were placed on travelers from seven other nations, including Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – four of which are African.

The U.S. government said countries were assessed based on information-sharing practices, terrorism threats, visa overstay rates, and cooperation on deportations. However, rights groups and lawmakers say the ban disproportionately targets African nations and lacks transparency.

“This policy amounts to discrimination in disguise,” said a senior legal advocate in Nairobi. “It creates unnecessary hardship for families and undermines Africa–U.S. ties.”

In a video message, Trump defended the policy, linking it to his broader effort to secure U.S. borders. He also cited a recent attack in Colorado involving an Egyptian national – although Egypt is not included in the ban.

Somalia has been included in previous versions of Trump-era travel restrictions. A similar 2017 ban on Muslim-majority countries, including Somalia, sparked global backlash before being upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court and later reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021.

The new proclamation includes limited exemptions: U.S. permanent residents, athletes attending international events, and immediate family members with proof of identity and relationship, such as DNA, may still qualify for entry.

Several U.S. lawmakers, including Senators Ed Markey and Adam Schiff, condemned the move. “Trump’s latest travel ban will NOT make America safer,” Markey posted on X. “We cannot allow hatred to drive immigration policy.”

Somali citizens with approved visas and those already in the U.S. are not affected by the new restrictions.