Please advise citizens of the following countries to RETURN TO THE U.S. BEFORE MIDNIGHT EDT JUNE 9, 2025 and avoid departing the U.S. for any reason: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
On June 4, 2025, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation banning entry to the U.S. for citizens of 19 countries. The Proclamation takes effect at 12:01 AM EDT on Monday June 9, 2025. The Proclamation bans entry under any visa category for citizens of 12 countries, and bans entry under a B, F, M, J or immigrant visa for citizens of seven other countries. The ban applies only to foreign nationals who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa stamp in their passport as of the effective date. Following is more detail on these travel restrictions:
Who is Affected:
Foreign nationals from the following countries who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa stamp on June 9, 2025 regardless of visa category:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Foreign nationals from the following countries who are outside the U.S. without a valid visa stamp on June 9, 2025 seeking to enter as permanent residents (using an immigrant visa), visitors (B-1 or B-2 visas), or students (F, J, or M visas):
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
The Proclamation also states that Egypt may be included as a restricted or banned country in the near future. Accordingly, we suggest citizens of Egypt return to and remain in the U.S. at this time.
The ban does not apply to:
- Lawful Permanent Residents of the U.S. (i.e. Green Card holders).
- Dual citizens who are traveling with a passport from a non-restricted country.
- Those traveling for participation in the World Cup, Olympics or other designated major sporting events.
- Diplomats and those exclusively transiting through the U.S. (C-1/C-2)
- Immediate family immigrant visas “with clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship.” No further guidance has been provided about how this exception will be implemented by the Department of State or at the border by Customs and Border Protection.
- Special Immigrant Visas for Afghanis or employees of the U.S. Government.
- Immigrant visas for “ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.”
- Individuals who have already been granted Asylee or Refugee status or Withholding of Removal under the Convention Against Torture (CAT).
- The Proclamation provides an individualized exception allowing admission of foreign nationals from the excluded countries on account of national interest, as determined by the Attorney General or the Secretary of State.
Please consider the following guidance regarding travel and immigration planning:
- Foreign nationals born in or holding a passport from the affected countries currently in the U.S. should not depart the country. If outside the U.S., foreign nationals from these countries should contact a member of the immigration practice group for further information.
- Employers may wish to prioritize permanent residence applications for foreign nationals from the affected countries, particularly for jobs requiring travel.
- Permanent residents from the listed countries should contact a member of the immigration practice group before departing the U.S. Upon reentering the U.S., permanent residents should under no circumstances agree to relinquish their green card and sign a Form I-407 if requested to do so by a border officer.
Additional Information:
Harter Secrest & Emery’s Immigration practice group will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available.
Visit HSE’s Trump Administration Immigration Updates resource page for additional insights and resources.