Chicago Tribune logo
Boston Herald logo
Associated Press logo
154 articles
·25d

Trump's New Travel Ban: Exceptions and Controversies

President Trump's updated travel ban affects 12 countries but includes exceptions to prevent legal challenges, with current visas remaining intact for affected individuals.

Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

  • President Trump has implemented a travel ban affecting 12 countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, with exceptions to avoid legal disputes.
  • The State Department has directed embassies not to revoke existing visas for individuals from the banned countries, ensuring current visa holders are unaffected.
  • Visa applicants from the affected countries with pending applications will be denied, as per the new guidelines from the State Department.
  • Exceptions to the travel ban include specific countries like Afghanistan, aimed at preventing legal challenges and ensuring smoother implementation.
  • Critics argue that the travel ban has racial undertones, echoing concerns from the initial 2017 ban, which was perceived as targeting Muslim-majority nations.

Content generated by AI—learn more or report issue.

Pano Newsletter

Get both sides in 5 minutes with our daily newsletter.

Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Emphasizes a travel ban affecting individuals from 12 countries, with exceptions for existing visas.

A visa ban was announced on Wednesday for individuals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Associated Press logo
Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
5 articles
60%

The State Department has advised U.S. embassies and consulates not to cancel visas for individuals from 12 primarily African and Middle Eastern countries affected by President Trump's latest travel ban.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
Boston Herald logo
3 articles
67%

Visa applicants from affected countries with approved applications awaiting visas will be denied entry.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
Boston Herald logo
3 articles
67%

The list can be changed, the administration said in a document, if authorities in the designated countries make 'material improvements' to their own rules and procedures.

Associated Press logo
1 article
100%

Articles (154)

Compare how different news outlets are covering this story.

Center (68)

"…The new proclamation, which Trump signed on Wednesday, appears designed to beat any court challenge by focusing on the visa application process."

State Dept says current US visas from travel ban countries will not be revoked
Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune·25d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The new travel ban on citizens of 12 countries that restricted access to people from seven others includes some exceptions, part of the administration’s efforts to withstand the legal challenges that a similar policy known as the 'Muslim ban' faced during Donald Trump’s first administration."

Trump banned travel from 12 countries, but included some exceptions to avoid legal battles
Associated PressAssociated Press·25d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The State Department instructed U.S. embassies and consulates on Friday not to revoke visas previously issued to people from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries now under President Donald Trump’s new travel ban."

State Dept says current US visas from travel ban countries will not be revoked
ABC NewsABC News·25d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The new proclamation, which Trump signed on Wednesday, appears designed to beat any court challenge by focusing on the visa application process."

State Dept says current US visas from travel ban countries will not be revoked
Associated PressAssociated Press·25d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Chicago immigration advocates and politicians condemned a looming Trump administration travel ban that would bar or restrict travelers from 19 countries."

Daywatch: How Illinois officials are reacting to Trump’s travel ban
Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune·25d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The travel ban has further darkened that mood and led Iranians to fear Trump will lump the nations' 80 million people alongside of its theocratic government."

Iranians react to new Trump travel ban as tensions are high between nations
ABC NewsABC News·25d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The travel ban has further darkened that mood and led Iranians to fear Trump will lump the nation’s 80 million people with its theocratic government even after he repeatedly praised them while seeking a deal."

Iranians react to new Trump travel ban as tensions are high between nations
Associated PressAssociated Press·25d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Trump's proclamation, issued Wednesday, was the latest attempt by his administration to prevent the nation's oldest and wealthiest college from enrolling a quarter of its students, who accounts for much of Harvard's research and scholarship."

Judge puts temporary hold on Trump's latest ban on Harvard's foreign students
NPRNPR·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…If Trump’s measure were to survive this court challenge, it would block thousands of students who are scheduled to come to Harvard’s campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, for the summer and fall terms."

Judge puts temporary hold on Trump's latest ban on Harvard's foreign students
Associated PressAssociated Press·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…A US judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from enforcing a ban the president ordered barring Harvard University from accepting international students."

Judge temporarily blocks Trump's ban on foreign Harvard students
BBC NewsBBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Trump’s proclamation cited security and terrorism risks as the reason behind some of the restrictions, and it specifically accused visitors from several of the countries of staying past their visas’ expiration dates."

Five charts that show how many people President Trump’s travel ban will affect
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Lawyers for Harvard refiled a lawsuit on Thursday afternoon to block the new proclamation, arguing it violates the First Amendment and misuses the federal law Trump used to justify the move."

Harvard sues over Trump's proclamation to block foreign students from attending university
ABC NewsABC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Harvard argues the administration is retaliating against it for refusing to accede to demands to control the school's governance, curriculum, and the ideology of its faculty and students."

Harvard challenges Trump ban on entry of international students
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Harvard's amended complaint argues that the immigration law Trump's proclamation cites allows the president to prohibit 'a class of aliens whose entry would be 'detrimental to the interests of the United States' — and that Trump's proclamation does not suspend entry for a class, just people who want to attend Harvard."

Harvard files legal challenge to Trump's effort to block visas for international students
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The travel ban, for example, comes just as the neighboring Dominican Republic has enacted a mass deportation program of Haitians, so this new policy, says Accilien, feels especially cruel."

How Trump's sweeping new travel ban may affect the many nations it targets
NPRNPR·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Shadi, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Iran, said the ban will also make it harder for people like herself to travel to the countries listed in the order, saying anyone could be treated as being dangerous."

Chicago’s immigrant community ‘sad’ and ‘numb’ over Trump’s new travel ban
Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-Times·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Travelers from 12 countries will be barred from entering the US, and people from an additional seven countries will face partial travel restrictions."

A new travel ban is coming. Will it hold up in court? : Consider This from
NPRNPR·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Anger and condemnation broke out as families, attorneys and immigrant advocates absorbed the blast from the latest bombshell delivered by the Trump immigration — a travel ban that stops or restricts people from 19 mostly African, Asian and Caribbean countries from entering the U.S."

Those from the countries on Trump's travel ban say they're confused and angry about what comes next
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Afghan allies who helped the U.S. military during the Afghanistan War, as well as relatives of U.S. service members, are currently stranded in Afghanistan and fear for their lives due to Taliban retaliation."

Trump issues travel ban, bars Afghans from entry into US
Military TimesMilitary Times·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The university called Trump's latest action banning entry into the country to attend Harvard 'yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights.'"

Top US universities raced to become global campuses. Under Trump, it's becoming a liability
ABC NewsABC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Yet, the travel ban that Trump unveiled days later did not include Egypt, raising questions about the timing and purpose of the ban, which the president's critics say unfairly targets African and Muslim-majority nations."

Trump explains why Egypt was not part of travel ban after citing Boulder attack
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The International Refugee Assistance Project criticized the new ban as arbitrary for making exceptions for athletes traveling to the U.S. for sporting events."

Trump's travel ban is his fourth attempt. See how list compares to 2017
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The proclamation, with some exemptions, bans the entry of foreigners seeking to come to the U.S. permanently as legal immigrants, as well as those with temporary visas — including tourists — from these 12 countries."

Trump travel ban map and list show which countries are affected by new restrictions
CBS NewsCBS News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Yet there is significant uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign visitors planning trips to the U.S. for the two biggest events in sports."

What the Trump travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics in the US
Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The proclamation bans the entry of foreigners from 12 countries who are seeking to come to the U.S. permanently as legal immigrants, as well as those with temporary visas, including tourists."

Trump's travel ban is set to begin Monday. Here's what to know.
CBS NewsCBS News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Yet there is significant uncertainty regarding visa policies for foreign visitors planning trips to the U.S. for the two biggest events in sports."

What the Trump travel ban means for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games
Associated PressAssociated Press·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Legal experts told the BBC that it appeared Trump had learned lessons from his first attempt."

Trump's new ban dodges pitfalls faced by last attempt, experts say
BBC NewsBBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Citizens of the following 12 countries will be blocked from entering the United States: Afghanistan, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, the Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen."

What to know about Trump's new travel ban
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The new order affects a patchwork of 19 countries — some of them banned for the first time, for reasons that the administration said include high rates of visa overstays, lack of "appropriate screening and vetting measures" and allegedly being sponsors of terrorism."

Fury and resignation around the world as Trump's travel ban comes roaring back
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Across Africa, there was already a sense of confusion and sadness over the relentless aid and trade cuts brought by the Trump administration, and the travel bans have only exacerbated that feeling."

Trump's travel ban fuels anxiety in South Africa, even though it's not on the list
CBS NewsCBS News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The travel ban results from a Jan. 20 executive order Trump issued requiring the departments of State and Homeland Security and the director of national intelligence to compile a report on 'hostile attitudes' toward the U.S."

Governments scramble to understand Trump's latest travel ban before it takes effect Monday
ABC NewsABC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The travel ban results from a Jan. 20 executive order Trump issued requiring the departments of State and Homeland Security and the director of national intelligence to compile a report on 'hostile attitudes' toward the U.S."

Governments scramble to understand Trump's latest travel ban before it takes effect Monday
Associated PressAssociated Press·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Nationals from a dozen countries will be barred from entering the U.S. from Monday under a proclamation signed yesterday by President Donald Trump, who framed the decision as necessary to bolster national security and combat terrorism."

Trump travel ban on 12 countries and Harvard international student visas threatened: Morning Rundown
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…A travel ban issued on Wednesday by US President Donald Trump is set to primarily affect countries in Africa and the Middle East."

Why has Trump banned travel from these 12 countries?
BBC NewsBBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Human rights groups have also criticised the ban."

What we know about Trump's latest travel ban
BBC NewsBBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…While U.K. universities may see short-term gains in international student recruitment, many academics are concerned about the broader implications for global research collaboration."

International students look to the U.K. instead of the U.S. amid Trump's visa plans
NPRNPR·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Trump's move to block nearly all foreign students from entering the country to attend Harvard raises significant concerns about the future of education and diversity at the institution."

Trump moves to block nearly all foreign students from entering the country to attend Harvard
FortuneFortune·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The dispute has been building for months after the Trump administration demanded a series of policy and governance changes at Harvard, calling it a hotbed of liberalism and accusing it of tolerating anti-Jewish harassment."

Trump moves to block US entry for foreign students planning to study at Harvard University
ABC NewsABC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…International students have found themselves at the center of an escalating campaign to kick them out or keep them from coming as his administration merges a crackdown on immigration with an effort to reshape higher education."

Trump promised to welcome more foreign students. Now, they feel targeted on all fronts
ABC NewsABC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Today's gargantuan travel ban, based on little or no justification, reflects that understanding."

Trump's Massively Cruel New Travel Ban
ReasonReason·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Trump's proclamation once again throws the futures of thousands of international students into limbo."

Trump Harvard ban: US president suspends foreign student visas
BBC NewsBBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The entry of people from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, will be partially restricted."

A look at Trump's travel ban timeline throughout his first presidency
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The order claimed Harvard "is no longer a trustworthy steward of international student and exchange visitor programs," accusing the school of failing to report students' disciplinary records to the federal government and criticizing it for ties to researchers based in China."

Trump restricts international students from studying at Harvard
CBS NewsCBS News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The administration previously sought to limit Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students by revoking its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, Harvard said."

Trump moves to deny visas to Harvard's international students
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The announcement of the ban follows an attack Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, on marchers raising attention for Israelis taken hostage by Hamas."

Trump signs travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, restrictions on 7 more
CBS NewsCBS News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The ban prohibits travel into the U.S. for foreign nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen."

Trump issues new travel ban affecting nearly 20 countries: What travelers need to know
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…But now it seems that was only temporary."

Trump issues new travel ban covering a dozen countries
NPRNPR·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Trump's order applies to new students who would be arriving to study at Harvard, and asks Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider whether to also revoke the visas of current international students."

Trump bans Harvard from admitting new international students
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday that bans nationals from a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti and the Republic of Congo, from entering the United States, framing the travel ban as necessary to fortify national security and building upon one of the most contentious policies of his first term."

Trump announces new travel restrictions on 19 countries, including 12 outright bans
NBC NewsNBC News·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The ban prohibits entry into the U.S. of foreign nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen."

President Trump bans travel from 12 nations, partially restricts entry from seven others
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…President Donald Trump is resurrecting the travel ban policy from his first term, signing a proclamation Wednesday night preventing people from a dozen countries from entering the United States."

Trump signed proclamation to ban travel from 12 countries, restriction on 7 countries
Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-Times·1M·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

President Trump cited concerns about national security, inadequate vetting processes in the affected countries, and lack of cooperation on deportations as the reasons for implementing the travel ban.

The countries fully banned from entering the U.S. are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Exceptions include lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests. Current visas remain intact for affected individuals.

History

See how this story has evolved over time.

  • 25d
    Chicago Tribune logo
    Associated Press logo
    ABC News logo
    4 articles
  • 25d
    The Atlantic logo
    PBS NewsHour logo
    Boston Globe logo
    4 articles
  • 25d
    Washington Examiner logo
    Chicago Tribune logo
    CNN logo
    3 articles
  • 25d
    Chicago Tribune logo
    ABC News logo
    Associated Press logo
    4 articles
  • 1M
    NBC News logo
    ABC News logo
    PBS NewsHour logo
    4 articles
  • 1M
    NPR logo
    NBC News logo
    Military Times logo
    4 articles
  • 1M
    ABC News logo
    Associated Press logo
    PBS NewsHour logo
    4 articles
  • 1M
    Chicago Tribune logo
    Associated Press logo
    BBC News logo
    4 articles
  • 1M
    Associated Press logo
    Al Jazeera logo
    NBC News logo
    4 articles
  • 1M
    BBC News logo
    NPR logo
    ABC News logo
    4 articles
  • 1M
    NPR logo
    NBC News logo
    Chicago Sun-Times logo
    6 articles