U.S. President Donald Trump has reimposed a controversial travel ban that will directly impact citizens from several African countries, citing national security concerns. The new directive, announced Wednesday evening through a presidential proclamation, places full or partial travel restrictions on nearly a dozen African nations, reviving a policy that drew widespread criticism during his previous administration.
The ban, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, bars entry to nationals from Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. In addition, Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo will face partial limitations, which are expected to affect specific visa categories and intensify screening procedures.
In a video statement accompanying the announcement, Trump said the move was prompted by the need to protect U.S. borders from individuals who, according to him, pose security threats due to weak vetting systems in their countries of origin.
“We cannot permit migration from any country where we lack the ability to securely and reliably screen those seeking to enter,” Trump stated, referring to a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado as an example of what he called a “wake-up call” for immigration policy.
While the list includes nations from other regions—such as Afghanistan, Iran, and Myanmar—it is African countries that make up the majority of those affected. The decision has sparked concern among rights advocates, diaspora communities, and regional observers who view the policy as disproportionately punitive toward African nations.
During Trump’s previous term (2017–2021), a similar travel ban triggered diplomatic tensions with several African governments and was criticized for undermining U.S.-Africa relations. The current administration insists that the criteria for the bans are based on each country’s compliance with U.S. security and identity verification standards.
However, critics argue the move lacks transparency and unfairly targets countries struggling with internal governance or conflict, rather than offering support for capacity-building.
The White House indicated that the list may be revised in the future, with countries removed if they show “material improvements” in sharing security data and enforcing border controls. Conversely, additional nations could be added should new threats emerge.
African leaders and civil society groups are expected to issue responses in the coming days. For now, travelers from the affected countries are being advised to consult local U.S. embassies for guidance.