Trump’s travel ban: Who’s affected, who's exempt and how it differs from 2018 'Muslim ban'

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a new travel ban that comes into effect on Monday, targeting nationals from 12 countries and imposing partial restrictions on seven others. This move, reminiscent of the controversial 2017 "Muslim Ban", has reignited debates over national security, immigration policy, and potential discrimination.

Trump said the measure was spurred by a makeshift flamethrower attack on a Jewish protest in Colorado that US authorities blamed on a man they said was in the country illegally.

"The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted," Trump said in a video message from the Oval Office posted on social media platform X.

"We don't want them."

Overview of the ban

The move bans all travel to the United States by nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, according to the White House.

Trump also imposed a partial ban on travellers from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Some temporary work visas from those countries will be allowed.

These partial restrictions may include limitations on specific visa categories and increased scrutiny during the visa application process.

Exemptions

The ban will not apply to athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup, which the United States is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Trump's order said.

The proclamation clarifies that it does not apply to visas issued before June 9, avoiding the confusion seen during the 2017 travel ban.

It lists clear exceptions, including US green card holders, dual nationals using passports from unrestricted countries, diplomats with valid visas, and athletes (with immediate family) attending major international events.

Notably, Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders and persecuted minorities from Iran are also exempt.

Comparison with the 2017 travel ban

The 2017 travel ban, officially known as Executive Order 13769, initially targeted seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The order faced immediate legal challenges and widespread protests, leading to revisions and the eventual issuance of Executive Order 13780. In 2018, the US Supreme Court upheld a version of the ban in the case of Trump vs Hawaii.

The 2025 ban encompasses a broader range of countries, including non-Muslim majority nationals Haiti and Venezuela, suggesting a shift from a primarily religious focus to a more generalised national security rationale.

While the 2017 ban was justified on the grounds of preventing terrorism from specific regions, the 2025 ban emphasises the need for enhanced vetting and cooperation from foreign governments in sharing information.

The 2025 ban was enacted under Executive Order 14161, titled "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats," which calls for enhanced screening and vetting measures for all foreign nationals.