On Wednesday night, President Donald J. Trump issued a bold new presidential proclamation to once again prioritize national security and protect the homeland from foreign threats. The directive imposes strict travel restrictions on nationals from a list of high-risk countries — a clear continuation of Trump’s America First immigration legacy.

In the proclamation, President Trump recalls the success of his original travel bans during his first term, pointing out that they helped reduce the likelihood of terrorist infiltration by individuals from unstable or hostile regions. He cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s past endorsement of those policies as a vindication of his constitutional authority to act decisively in defense of American lives.

“Safeguarding American citizens from foreign individuals who may commit terrorist acts or attempt to spread extremist ideologies is a core responsibility of the federal government,” the document states, reaffirming a position that has long resonated with millions of Americans.

Addressing the growing problem of visa overstays — a long-ignored vulnerability in the U.S. immigration system — Trump warned that the issue extends far beyond illegal border crossings.

“Nationals of some countries also pose significant risks of overstaying their visas in the United States, which increases burdens on immigration and law enforcement components... and often exacerbates other risks related to national security and public safety,” Trump said.

The statement echoes growing concern after a recent high-profile incident involving a radicalized Muslim migrant who overstayed his visa and violently attacked peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators on American soil — a grim reminder of the stakes involved.

Citing his constitutional powers and legal authority under federal immigration statutes, President Trump declared:

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America... hereby find that, absent the measures set forth in this proclamation, the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of persons described in sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that their entry should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions.”

The revised travel policy emphasizes stronger international cooperation in the areas of identity verification and data-sharing — critical components of any modern security infrastructure. Countries that fail to comply or provide reliable information about their nationals will face restrictions until further notice.

Nations Targeted by New Travel Safeguards Include:

• Afghanistan
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen
• Burundi
• Cuba
• Laos
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela

While the proclamation includes narrow exceptions for specific cases — such as international athletes and their families — President Trump made clear that even these individuals must undergo “rigorous screening” and provide full documentation before being permitted to enter the country.

The administration’s message is clear: the days of unchecked immigration loopholes are over. The Trump White House is once again putting American sovereignty, safety, and citizens first.