Trump’s New Travel Ban on 12 Countries Sparks Global Backlash

News Desk 

Washington: A controversial travel ban issued by US President Donald Trump took effect on Monday, barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States. The White House says the policy is intended to prevent the entry of “foreign terrorists” and enhance national security.

The full ban affects nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, the entry of individuals from seven other countries — Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela — will face partial restrictions.

Citing concerns about terrorism, insufficient security cooperation, weak identity verification processes, poor criminal record tracking, and high rates of visa overstays, the Trump administration defended the move as necessary. The president pointed to a recent incident in Boulder, Colorado, in which an Egyptian national allegedly threw a gasoline bomb into a pro-Israel rally. Notably, Egypt is not among the countries included in the ban.

“This policy is a safeguard against threats that exploit our immigration system,” Trump stated, reiterating his broader agenda of tightening U.S. immigration controls — a hallmark of both his current and previous term.

The decision has triggered a wave of condemnation from foreign governments, human rights groups, and US lawmakers. In Chad, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced retaliatory measures, suspending visa issuance to US citizens.

“Chad has neither planes to offer nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and its pride,” he said in a Facebook post, referring to US allies such as Qatar that have extended diplomatic and financial favors to Washington.

Afghan citizens who previously worked for the US or its allied missions expressed anxiety over the ban, fearing forced return to Afghanistan where they may face Taliban reprisals. Human rights advocates warn the new restrictions may jeopardize the safety of vulnerable populations, including asylum seekers.

In the US, critics swiftly condemned the executive order. “Trump’s travel ban on citizens from over 12 countries is draconian and unconstitutional,” said Representative Ro Khanna in a post on social media. “People have a right to seek asylum.”

The latest policy echoes a 2017 executive order in Trump’s first term that barred citizens from several Muslim-majority nations, sparking legal battles and nationwide protests. Civil rights groups are expected to challenge the new order in court.