President Trump’s travel ban on citizens of 12 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, took effect on Monday as his administration aims to prevent or severely limit their entry to the United States.
The policy, the administration’s latest move to crack down on immigration, is similar to a ban that Mr. Trump put into effect in 2017, during his first term.
What countries are on the list?
A full travel ban will affect citizens of the following countries:
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Afghanistan
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Chad
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Republic of Congo
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Equatorial Guinea
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Eritrea
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Haiti
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Iran
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Libya
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Myanmar
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Somalia
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Sudan
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Yemen
Partial restrictions will apply to citizens of other countries, meaning they cannot come to the country permanently or apply for certain visas. They are:
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Burundi
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Cuba
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Laos
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Sierra Leone
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Togo
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Turkmenistan
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Venezuela
What is the administration saying?
Mr. Trump, who announced the ban in a proclamation, said it was intended to protect “the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.” It is his latest effort to further restrict immigration since returning to office in January, coming after his administration blocked asylum seekers at the Southern border, barred international students from Harvard University and ordered immigration raids across the country.
Cabinet officials in April had identified a list of countries where vetting and screening information surrounding visa applicants was “deficient” enough to warrant a full or partial suspension, the action said.