Trump Administration Expands Travel Ban. In Proclamation 9983 of January 31, 2020, the Trump administration expanded its travel ban to place visa and entry restrictions on travelers from six additional countries: Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania. The new ban (Travel Ban 4.0) becomes effective at 12:01 eastern standard time on February 21, 2020. Travel Ban 4.0 contains restrictions on immigrants but not on nonimmigrants, so Travel Ban 4.0 will not impact acquisition of nonimmigrant visas like F-1 student, J-1 exchange visitor, H-1B worker, etc., or of admission to the United States in those categories. Meanwhile, Travel Ban 3.0 continues in effect on certain citizens of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia.
The Travel Ban 3.0 and 4.0 restrictions are country-specific, and tailored to the situation of each individual country.
Travel Ban 4.0 countries effective February 21, 2020
- Eritrea
- Kyrgyzstan
- Nigeria
- Myanmar
- Sudan
- Tanzania
Travel Ban 3.0 Countries
- Iran
- Libya
- North Korea
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Somalia
Brief background
President Trump ordered "Travel Ban 3.0" on September 24, 2017, in Proclamation 9645. Several parties immediately sued to block the ban, but the litigation ultimately did not stop its implementation. On June 26, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the ban, but it had already been in effect and enforced since December 4, 2017, when the Supreme Court stayed preliminary injunctions that had partially blocked it. On January 31, 2020, President Trump signed Proclamation 9983, Improving Enhanced Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry Into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats ("Travel Ban 4.0") which will add six additional countries to the "travel ban" list, effective February 21, 2020.
- Read the Travel Ban 4.0 Proclamation (Proclamation 9983 of January 31, 2020)
- Read the Travel Ban 3.0 Proclamation (Proclamation 9645 of September 24, 2017)
Countries and Conditions
Travel Bans 3.0 and 4.0 travel and entry ban restrictions apply to the following countries in specific ways. Also see the Department of State's page: Presidential Proclamation 9645 and Presidential Proclamation 9983.
Country | Conditions |
---|---|
Iran |
Governed by Proclamation 9645, Travel Ban 3.0
|
Libya |
Governed by Proclamation 9645, Travel Ban 3.0
|
North Korea |
Governed by Proclamation 9645, Travel Ban 3.0
|
Somalia |
Governed by Proclamation 9645, Travel Ban 3.0
|
Syria |
Governed by Proclamation 9645, Travel Ban 3.0
|
Venezuela |
Governed by Proclamation 9645, Travel Ban 3.0
|
Yemen |
Governed by Proclamation 9645, Travel Ban 3.0
|
Eritrea |
Governed by Proclamation of January 31, 2020, Travel Ban 4.0
|
Kyrgyzstan |
Governed by Proclamation of January 31, 2020, Travel Ban 4.0
|
Myanmar (Burma) |
Governed by Proclamation of January 31, 2020, Travel Ban 4.0
|
Nigeria |
Governed by Proclamation of January 31, 2020, Travel Ban 4.0
|
Sudan |
Governed by Proclamation of January 31, 2020, Travel Ban 4.0
|
Tanzania |
Governed by Proclamation of January 31, 2020, Travel Ban 4.0
|
NAFSA Statements
Travel Ban 4.0
- January 31, 2020 - NAFSA Condemns Expanded Travel Ban
Travel Ban 3.0 before the U.S. Supreme Court
- June 26, 2018 - America Must Rise Above Racism and Xenophobia (issued following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to uphold the ban)
- March 29, 2018 - NAFSA joined in an amicus brief arguing against the travel ban, filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of 33 higher education associations
Statements on September 25, 2017 Proclamation
- September 25, 2017 - NAFSA Statement on September 24, 2017 Proclamation Travel Ban
Statements on Prior 90-Day Travel Ban
- September 18, 2017 - Educational association amicus brief in support of the case against the travel ban now before the Supreme Court.
- June 26, 2017 - NAFSA Statement on SCOTUS Travel Ban Decision
- March 6, 2017 - Revised Executive Order Makes America Less Safe, Harms International Ties
- February 10, 2017 - NAFSA Commends Court of Appeals Unanimous Decision on Executive Order
- January 30, 2017 - Latest Executive Order Undermines America's Safety and Values
FAQ on Immigration Benefits
NAFSA has compiled a list of frequently asked questions about resources that can assist you in understanding and responding to recent and future changes to immigration benefits. View the frequently asked questions
From the Community
Tips and information from NAFSA's blog to assist advisers working to help students, scholars, faculty, and staff impacted by the executive orders.