President Donald Trump has officially signed a new proclamation barring entry into the United States for individuals from 12 countries.

The decision, announced after months of speculation, is being positioned as a national security measure aimed at protecting the country from potential foreign threats.

“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The ban is scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 9, 2025. The President also indicated that the list of affected nations may be updated in the future.

Previous Visas Will Remain Valid

Trump clarified that the ban will not affect those who already hold valid visas issued prior to the implementation date. Those individuals will still be allowed to travel to the U.S., as their documents won’t be revoked or canceled.

This is not Trump’s first time instituting a travel ban. During his first term, he imposed restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries—a move that was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. President Joe Biden later rescinded that ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”

Reasons Cited: Terror Concerns and Identity Verification

According to Trump, the 12 banned countries have either a “large-scale presence of terrorists,” fail to meet security protocols for visa issuance, or are unable to adequately confirm the identities of travelers. He also stated that citizens from these countries tend to have high rates of visa overstays in the U.S.

“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” the President stated.