U.S. Government Bars Entry from 12 Nations Citing National Security Risks

On Wednesday, June 4, the U.S. government announced a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries and imposed restrictions on seven others.

The list was developed by the State Department, Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence. These agencies compiled a report assessing “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. and evaluating whether travelers from certain countries pose a national security threat.

The 12 banned countries are Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Each of these nations currently carries a Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State, warning travelers of significant risks.