Trump Travel Ban LIVE: Trump Bans Citizens of 12 Countries From Entering the United States
In a sweeping and controversial move, former President Donald Trump has announced a renewed travel ban that bars citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States. The announcement, made during a press conference at Trump National Doral in Florida, has sparked immediate backlash from civil rights organizations, legal experts, and international leaders.
The new executive order, titled “America First National Security Enhancement Act,” was signed this morning and is being enforced immediately. According to Trump, the ban is designed to “protect the homeland from terrorism, crime, and radical ideologies.” The 12 affected countries reportedly include several in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. Though the full list has not yet been officially released, preliminary reports indicate it includes Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Sudan, Pakistan, Venezuela, and North Korea.
“This is not about religion or race. It’s about safety, security, and sovereignty,” Trump said at the press event. “We will not allow our nation to be a dumping ground for threats. The world is a dangerous place, and America must protect its people.”
This is not the first time Trump has enacted a travel ban. In 2017, during his first term as president, he signed a similar order that became known as the “Muslim Ban,” targeting citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries. That policy faced numerous legal challenges and was eventually upheld in a revised form by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. Critics argue that today’s action revives the same discriminatory tactics under a different guise.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) condemned the move within hours of its announcement. “This executive order is a thinly veiled attempt to stoke fear and xenophobia,” said ACLU attorney Nora Benavidez. “It disproportionately targets Muslim-majority countries and has no factual basis in enhancing national security.”
International reaction has also been swift. Iran’s foreign ministry called the ban “an act of political hostility” and threatened reciprocal measures. The African Union issued a statement urging the U.S. to reconsider, stating that such policies damage diplomatic relations and violate human rights norms.
Back in the U.S., several cities with large immigrant populations have pledged to support affected communities. Mayors from New York, Chicago, and San Francisco issued a joint statement declaring that their cities “will remain sanctuaries for those in need.”
Legal analysts expect the new travel ban to be challenged in court, potentially reaching the Supreme Court once again. Experts note that while the president has broad authority over immigration matters, such power must still align with constitutional protections and anti-discrimination laws.
As protests begin to emerge at major airports and statehouses, the political implications of Trump’s decision remain uncertain. Some view it as an attempt to energize his political base ahead of the 2026 midterms, while others see it as a further erosion of the country’s values of openness and inclusion.
For now, affected travelers are being turned away, and consular services in the named countries have been suspended. Immigration attorneys urge individuals from the listed nations to seek legal advice immediately if they are currently in the U.S. or were planning to travel.
This story is developing. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
