On 4 June, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that will implement a new travel ban, effective 9 June at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, restricting the ability of foreign nationals from 19 countries to be admitted entry into the United States.
The order prohibits the entry of immigrant or nonimmigrant visa holders from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, the Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. For seven countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—entries for immigrant visa holders and individuals with B, F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be denied entry, and the validity for any other nonimmigrant visas will be reduced to minimum duration permitted by law.
Travel bans were first introduced in early 2017 during President Trump’s first term. The policy was revised three times in response to legal challenges before the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it in 2018, ruling that the administration had the authority to enforce the ban under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The version implemented in September 2017 covered eight countries, with adjustments made over time until the Biden administration officially ended the ban in 2021.
Suspensions apply only to nationals of designated countries who:
- Are outside the United States on 9 June; and
- Do not have a valid visa on 9 June
No visas issued before the effective date (9 June) shall be revoked pursuant to the proclamation.
Periodic review of the restrictions is required, and a report to the president is due from the agencies within 90 days and every 180 days thereafter.
What Should Talent Mobility Practitioners Consider in the Coming Days?
According to Justin Parsons, partner at Erickson Immigration Group and member of WERC’s U.S. Immigration Rapid Response Task Force, there are several key considerations for global mobility teams:
- Passport Choice Matters: Employees who hold dual citizenship—one from a country listed in the new travel ban—should ensure they are traveling with the passport of a non-impacted country to avoid unnecessary complications at the border.
- Reentry Risks Remain: Even with a valid multi-entry visa, foreign nationals from impacted countries may face increased scrutiny when returning to the U.S. If a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer misapplies the new restrictions, legal recourse at the port of entry is limited. Mobility professionals should advise affected employees to assess travel plans carefully.
- Expect Delays for Residency and Citizenship: Nonimmigrant visa holders from affected countries who are currently residing in the U.S. may encounter heightened scrutiny when applying for permanent residency (Form I-485) or citizenship (Form N-400). The new order indicates that additional vetting and security-related delays are likely.
WERC and its task force will continue to monitor developments and share updates for the industry as the implementation progresses.
