Immigration
The New Travel Bans
By Buchanan Attorneys Khushbu Patel and Dilip Patel
On June 4, 2025, President Trump issued a proclamation restricting entry into the U.S. of foreign nationals from certain countries, citing security concerns and public safety. The ban took effect on June 9, 2025. This article provides guidance and background.
The ban applies to nationals of select countries who were 1) outside the United States as of June 9, 2025, and 2) not issued a valid visa as of June 9, 2025.
Who is impacted?
Full travel ban: The ban fully suspends entry into the U.S. of immigrants (people coming permanently) and nonimmigrants (people coming temporarily) for nationals of these 12 countries: Afghanistan; Burma; Chad; Republic of Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; and Yemen.
Partial travel ban: The ban suspends entry into the U.S. of immigrants and B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J nonimmigrant visa holders and reduces the validity period of all visas issued after June 9, 2025, for nationals from these 7 countries: Burundi; Cuba; Laos; Sierra Leone; Togo; Turkmenistan; and Venezuela.
Possible future suspension: The proclamation also notes that the U.S. will review Egypt’s screening and vetting procedures to determine if it should be subject to a ban but does not impose restrictions now.
The administration will review the list of impacted countries within 90 days, and countries may be added to or removed from these lists.
The Department of State also announced on June 7, 2025, that individuals subject to these bans may still submit visa applications and schedule interviews, but they may be denied the visa or admission to the United States.
Are there exceptions?
There are exceptions. In addition to those who were already in the US on June 9, 2024, or had visas, the travel ban does not apply to:
- U.S. lawful permanent residents;
- Dual nationals of designated countries when they are traveling on a passport from a non-restricted country;
- Visa holders in the following categories: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6;
- Athletes and coaches traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events;
- Spouses, parents, or children of U.S. citizens applying for permanent residence, in certain circumstances;
- Adoptions;
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;
- Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees;
- Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran;
- Individuals granted asylum;
- Refugees already admitted to the U.S.;
- Individuals granted withholding of removal under the Convention Against Torture.
Exceptions may also be allowed on a case-by-case basis if travel would serve a U.S. national interest. However, the criteria for granting the exceptions are currently not known.
Reaction
This proclamation has drawn sharp criticism from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), which argues that the ban undermines core American values and does not enhance national security. There have been expressed concerns that the proclamation primarily targets marginalized populations, spreading anti-immigrant sentiments. AILA President Kelli Stump pointed out the hypocrisy of the administration’s stance: the same countries deemed “too dangerous” for entry are also those from which deportations are occurring, raising questions about the consistency and fairness of U.S. immigration policy.
The consequences of this travel ban are extensive, affecting families, students, and professionals alike. It has been argued that these policies do not bolster national security or economic growth; rather, they do the opposite by separating families and discouraging talented individuals from contributing to American society. This new travel ban has also fostered a climate of fear and division within communities.
Tampa Bay area welcomes Attorney Khushbu Patel
We are pleased to introduce Attorney Khushbu Patel to our readers. Khushbu is an experienced immigration attorney and has recently joined the Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney law firm to work with Dilip Patel, who writes our immigration articles. Khushbu brings with her a wealth of knowledge in immigration law and a passion for helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of the immigration process.
Khushbu was born and raised in Richmond, Va., where she developed a strong foundation in legal principles and a deep commitment to serving her community. She earned her law degree from a respected institution, Rutgers Law School, where she developed a keen understanding of the challenges faced by immigrants in the United States.
She married in April 2024 and recently moved to the Tampa area with her husband, who works in commercial contracting. Khushbu’s move to Tampa not only marks a new chapter in her personal journey but also allows her to contribute her expertise to the growing community in the region. Fluent in Gujarati, she is an active member of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Thonotosassa, Florida.
We are thrilled to welcome Khushbu to our readers and look forward to the invaluable information she will provide to them in the field of immigration law.