On June 4, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation (“Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats”) restricting entry to the United States to foreign nationals from certain countries, citing national interest, public safety, and security concerns as the reason for the new ban. Beginning Monday, June 9, 2025, foreign nationals from impacted countries who are outside of the United States and do not have a valid visa are barred from entering the United States.

Who Is Impacted by the Ban?

The ban completely bars entry to the United States to foreign nationals coming permanently or temporarily from the following 12 countries:

• Afghanistan
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

The ban also partially bars entry to the United States to foreign nationals with a B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J non-immigrant visa from the following 7 countries:

• Burundi
• Cuba
• Laos
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela

Additionally, the ban directs consulate officers to reduce the validity of non-immigrant visas listed above to the extent permitted by law.

Who Is Not Impacted by the Ban?

The ban does not apply to the following foreign nationals:

• Those with valid visas who entered the United States prior to June 9, 2025;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents who obtained permanent residence prior to June 9, 2025;
• Dual nationals of designated countries traveling with a passport from a non-restricted country;
• The following visa holders: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6;
• Athletes and coaches traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events;
• Spouses, parents, or children of U.S. citizens applying for permanent residence, in certain circumstances;
• Adoptions;
• Afghan Special Immigrant visas;
• Special Immigrant visas for U.S. government employees;
• Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran;
• Those granted asylum;
• Refugees already admitted to the United States; and
• Those granted withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).

What Happens Now?

The proclamation declaring the travel ban requires the administration to review the list of impacted countries within 90 days. Countries may be added to or removed from the list. At this time foreign nationals that are citizens of the countries listed in the travel ban will not be permitted to enter the United States after June 9, 2025. However, exceptions may be allowed on a case-by-case basis if travel would serve a U.S. national interest.

If you have any questions about the travel ban or believe the ban may apply to your religious worker, please contact your RIS assigned attorney.