By News Desk 
U.S. President Donald Trump has reinstated a controversial travel ban policy from his first term, signing a new proclamation on Wednesday night that restricts entry into the United States for citizens from 12 specific countries. The affected nations include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Ban to Take Effect at 12:01 AM on Monday
The new travel restrictions will officially take effect at 12:01 AM on Monday. In addition to the 12 countries mentioned, stricter limitations will also apply to individuals arriving from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
In the proclamation, Trump stated, “I have a duty to act in order to protect the security and national interests of the United States and its people.”
Background of the New Restrictions
On January 20, Trump issued an executive order directing the Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to compile a report evaluating whether travelers from certain countries pose a threat to U.S. national security. The current list of banned countries stems from the findings of that investigation.
This move echoes Trump’s earlier policy decisions. During his first term in office, he signed an executive order in January 2017 barring citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries—namely Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen—from entering the U.S., sparking widespread debate and legal challenges.