Trump’s travel ban at a glancepublished at 12:24 British Summer Time
Donald Trump has signed a ban on travel to the US from 12 countries as well as partial restrictions for seven other nations. This will come into effect from Monday, 9 June.
Which countries are affected?
Trump’s administration is banning travel to the US from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Partial travel restrictions will also be placed on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Why has Trump announced a ban?
Trump has cited national security risks, saying he has considered each country’s vetting capabilities, information sharing policy, “terrorist presence”, visa-overstay rate and acceptance of “removable nationals”.
The White House says the restrictions would “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors”, as Trump cites the recent alleged terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, as highlighting the need to properly vet foreign nationals.
What are the exemptions?
People from the affected countries may still be able to enter the US under several exemptions: athletes travelling for major sporting events; holders of immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran; Afghan nationals holding special immigrant visas; lawful permanent residents of the US; dual nationals who have citizenship in countries not included in the ban.
The US president said the list could be revised if “material improvements” were made and additional countries could be added as “threats emerge around the world”.
