President Donald Trump has signed a new travel ban that restricts citizens from 12 countries and partially limits entry from 7 others. The ban takes effect on 9 June 2025.
While the specific travel bans may not directly impact key individuals working for event companies or those buying event services – given the exemptions for visa holders and specific categories – there is a broader message. The US could be increasingly perceived by international players as becoming hostile to foreign nationals.
Already, a French delegate en route to a conference in Houston has been denied entry to the US after text messages were found on his phone criticising President Trump. Authorities reportedly accused him of harbouring “hateful and conspiratorial messages” that could be linked to terrorism. His electronic devices were confiscated, and he was deported the following day. The French government condemned the action.
The 12 countries that are now facing full travel bans are: Afghanistan Burma Chad Equatorial Guinea Libya Eritrea Somalia Sudan Yemen The Republic of the Congo Haiti Iran
Seven countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – will face partial restrictions on visas for immigrants and temporary visitors.
The ban is part of the president’s effort to secure US borders and prevent unvetted individuals from entering the country. Trump cited national security threats, particularly the risks posed by foreign nationals with inadequate vetting processes or those who overstay their visas.
“We will not allow people who wish to do us harm to enter our country,” he said, referencing a recent terror incident in Colorado involving a foreign national with an expired visa.
The restrictions do not apply to US permanent residents, dual nationals or certain categories of visas like those for athletes, diplomats and close family members of US citizens. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo noted that the list could change if countries improve their vetting systems.
This latest move comes just days after an attack in Colorado, further justifying the new measures, according to Trump’s administration. Legal challenges are expected, similar to those encountered in 2017, but the government believes it will withstand scrutiny. They have argued that national security outweighs concerns about the restrictions.
The ban will likely affect travellers from these countries looking to visit or immigrate to the US as legal and political responses unfold.
