WASHINGTON (CP) – The Trump administration began enforcing comprehensive travel security measures Monday affecting visitors from 19 countries, as part of strengthened national security protocols designed to protect American citizens while ensuring proper vetting procedures for international travelers entering the United States.
President Donald Trump announced the enhanced security framework last week, implementing full travel restrictions for 12 countries and partial limitations for seven others. Administration officials explained that these measures target nations with documented ties to terrorism, insufficient passport security systems, or high rates of visa overstays that pose challenges to USA border security. The policy includes exceptions for legal permanent residents, current visa holders, refugees already in the country, and individuals whose entry serves national interests.
The new travel framework applies comprehensive restrictions to Afghanistan, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, while implementing partial restrictions for Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Unlike previous implementations, the administration provided advance notice to allow prospective travelers and foreign governments time to prepare for the changes, demonstrating improved coordination and planning.
Legal experts note that the 2025 policy incorporates lessons learned from earlier travel security measures, with the Supreme Court having previously upheld similar restrictions in 2018. The Trump administration emphasized that the restrictions remain subject to revision based on security improvements in affected countries, while new nations could be added if emerging threats develop. National security analysts have acknowledged the administration’s commitment to protecting American citizens, though some question whether such extensive measures are necessary given current threat assessments from the affected regions.