US Entry Banned for Nationals of Certain Countries

in Immigration Actions Trump 2.0
June 5th, 2025

President Trump announced a ban on entry to the US of foreign nationals from certain countries in certain nonimmigrant categories who are outside the US effective at 12:01 am EST June 9, 2025, who do not have a valid US visa. See the Proclamation and a White House Fact Sheet for more details. It bans entry to the US for nationals from 12 countries in ALL nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories and from 7 countries in B visitor, F student, M student and all J student and scholar exchange visitor nonimmigrant and all immigrant categories. See details below about applicability and exceptions.

Exclusions and Exceptions to the Entry Ban

The suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation shall not apply to:

• foreign nationals who are within the US on June 9, 2025 at 12:01am;
• foreign nationals who have a valid visa as of June 9, 2025 at 12:01am;
• any lawful permanent resident of the United States (green card holder);
• any dual national of a country designated under sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a country not so designated;
• any foreign national traveling with a valid nonimmigrant visa in the following classifications: 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;
• any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State;
• immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship (e.g., DNA);
• adoptions (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4);
• Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;
• Special Immigrant Visas for United States Government employees; and immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran;
• individual exceptions to the suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation may be made for certain individuals for whom the Attorney General finds, in her discretion, that the travel by the individual would advance a critical United States national interest involving the Department of Justice, including when individuals must be present to participate in criminal proceedings as witnesses. These exceptions shall be made only by the Attorney General, or her designee, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security;
• exceptions to the suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation may be made case-by-case for individuals for whom the Secretary of State finds, in his discretion, that the travel by the individual would serve a United States national interest. These exceptions shall be made by only the Secretary of State or his designee, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security or her designee.

This list reflects the exclusions and exceptions set forth in the proclamation. However, it is not yet clear how federal agencies will implement these exclusions and exceptions. International students and scholars should seek guidance from their ISSO Advisor and/or a knowledgeable immigration attorney regarding travel plans during this time.

Justifications for the Entry Ban

• Inadequate screening and vetting processes, hindering America’s ability to identify potential security threats before entry.
• High visa overstay rates, demonstrating a disregard for U.S. immigration laws and increasing burdens on enforcement systems.
• Lack cooperation in sharing identity and threat information, undermining effective U.S. immigration vetting.
• Significant terrorist presence or state-sponsored terrorism, posing direct risks to U.S. national security.
• Historically failed to accept back their removable nationals, complicating U.S. efforts to manage immigration and public safety.