Trump Ramps Up and Expands Travel Ban on 12 Countries, Ignites Global Outrage

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In a policy pivot that is as unexpected as it is dramatic, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order barring the entry of citizens of 12 countries to the United States. The controversial move—a branded act of national security—has ignited mass protests domestically and global outrage.

❖ The Executive Order Explained

The June 6, 2025, signed executive order reissuing and expanding the Trump travel ban to include 12 countries. While the White House did not release the whole list officially, the White House has apparently signaled early that the following countries are on the list:

Iran
Syria
Yemen
Libya
Somalia
Nigeria
Sudan
Afghanistan
Iraq
Lebanon
Venezuela
North Korea

At a news conference, Trump stated, "America will not apologize for securing its borders. This action is based on intelligence confirming credible security threats from nations that either sponsor terrorism or are unwilling to work with our vetting process."

❖ International Reaction: Condemnation and Concern

The move has angered the world. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi called the ban "Islamophobic and discriminatory," and the European Union released a joint statement urging the U.S. to reverse what it called a "deeply divisive and unjust policy."

"Discriminatory practices based on religion or nationality erode the principles of democracy and human dignity," the UN Human Rights Office also said in a strongly worded statement.

International human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, condemned the order too, describing it as "xenophobic" and a "violation of international human rights law."

❖ Domestic Unrest: Protests and Legal Action

In the United States, meanwhile, the executive order has again triggered protests in major cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. Protesters marched to chants reading "No Ban, No Wall" and "Refugees Welcome.".

Civil liberties organizations such as the ACLU and the National Immigration Law Center are preparing to sue the order into federal court. "This travel ban is unconstitutional and morally bankrupt," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony Romero. "We will fight this in every courtroom until justice is served."

❖ Political Implications: Strategy or Overreach?

Analysts view the travel ban as a calculated move to rally Trump's political base ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Republican legislators have come out in support of it, but Democrats have decried it as an abuse of presidential power.

Senator Elizabeth Warren responded on social media:

"This is not about national security. It's about fear-mongering. We must stand against this cruelty."

Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has told citizens of countries in the mix to visit embassy websites for travel warnings and visa information.

❖ What's Next?

Litigation will follow quickly, with several federal courts already having cases filed to enjoin enforcement. International pressure is increasing as well, with some countries threatening diplomatic action.

For now, thousands of families remain in limbo—unable to reunite with loved ones, pursue education, or seek refuge in the U.S.

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