- Trump imposes new travel ban on 12 countries, effective June 9, 2025.
- Ban affects students, families, and sports fans, including Iranians eyeing the 2026 World Cup.
- Somalia seeks dialogue; Venezuela slams move as “fascist” and dangerous for migrants.
President Donald Trump has reinstated a controversial travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries, citing national security concerns and a failure to comply with U.S. vetting standards.
The decision has already sparked international backlash. Somalia expressed readiness for dialogue, while Venezuela condemned the measure as discriminatory.
Iranian Fans, Students, and Diplomats Recoil as Trump Reintroduces Travel Ban
Trump’s new travel ban represents a broader clampdown on immigration and foreign presence in the U.S., extending beyond tourism to education and temporary work permits. International students, including those admitted to elite institutions like Harvard, have been barred from entering, sparking concerns within academic circles.
For Iranians, the timing of the ban is especially painful. The nation’s football supporters had long anticipated attending the 2026 World Cup in North America. Now, many like Tehran resident Sohrab Naderi see their once-in-a-lifetime dream erased by geopolitical tension beyond their control.
The White House has defended the move as a matter of national interest, arguing that several of the banned countries either harbor terrorist networks or lack adequate criminal background systems. Critics, however, call it collective punishment, disproportionately affecting civilians with no ties to security risks.
This proclamation revives elements of Trump’s first-term policies, most notably the 2017 “Muslim Ban,” which faced international condemnation before the Supreme Court upheld a revised version. The administration’s renewed rhetoric around “maximum pressure,” particularly toward Iran, suggests that immigration will remain a central theme in Trump’s second term.
While framed as a security measure, the new travel ban has already reignited global tensions and shattered personal hopes, underscoring how political policies reverberate far beyond borders.
“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm.” — Donald J. Trump
