On June 4, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation implementing new travel restrictions under the authority of Executive Order 14161, which was signed earlier this year on January 20, 2025. The Executive Order authorized an interagency assessment of global visa screening, document integrity, and overstay trends. Based on those findings, the proclamation now imposes entry restrictions on nationals from selected countries that pose elevated national security or immigration compliance risks.
This new proclamation builds on the precedent set during the 2017–2020 enforcement era, aligning with the legal framework upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court (Trump v. Hawaii). The updated order reflects evolving national security considerations, using expanded criteria such as visa overstay rates, identity-document standards, and bilateral information-sharing practices rather than applying a uniform rationale across countries.
At USILAW, our legal team has supported multinational employers, educational institutions, and federal contractors through every phase of U.S. immigration policy reform. We remain committed to helping clients assess risks, implement compliant practices, and safeguard global workforce mobility.
Countries Affected Under Executive Order 14161 (Effective June 2025)
The order categorizes countries into two tiers based on assessed risk levels and cooperation with U.S. authorities.
Full Entry Suspension (12 countries):
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Limited Suspension for Select Nonimmigrant Visa Classes (7 countries):
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
The limited suspensions generally apply to nonimmigrant visa categories such as B-1/B-2 (visitor), F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange). Lawful permanent residents and current visa holders are exempt.
Comparison: 2025 vs. the 2017–2020 Travel Ban
This new Executive Order reflects a broader regional and functional scope, emphasizing immigration system integrity and cooperation benchmarks over conflict-zone classifications. While some countries reappear
from the prior ban, others have been removed or newly added based on updated overstay and identity-verification metrics.
Included in 2017–2020 Only | Included in 2025 Only | Included in Both Periods |
Syria, North Korea, Nigeria | Haiti, Equatorial Guinea, Laos | Chad, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Sudan |
Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan | Cuba, Burundi, Togo, Turkmenistan | Burma (Myanmar), Somalia, Yemen |
Key distinctions in the 2025 order include:
- Selection based on DHS’s most recent Entry/Exit Overstay Report and interagency vetting evaluations
- Greater weight on modern document systems and verifiability of civil status
- Many countries on the full suspension list recorded overstay rates exceeding 25% in visitor and student visa categories
USILAW’s Strategic Analysis: Compliance and Business Travel Risk
Drawing on our previous advisory experience during the 2017–2020 policy cycle, we anticipate several near-term impacts:
- Increased border screening and CBP referral protocols for visa holders and dual nationals connected to affected countries
- Consular processing delays and elevated use of 221(g) administrative processing or discretionary denials abroad
- New obligations for employers to reassess workforce assignment planning, dependent family mobility, and visa renewal contingencies
- What remains uncertain is how individuals of other nationalities with travel history to the affected countries will be treated. This is where the discretion of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at ports of entry, and the doctrine of consular nonreviewability in visa decisions become critically relevant
Unless reversed by legal challenge or executive modification, these restrictions are expected to remain in force through at least Fiscal Year 2026.
Recommended Actions for Employers and Mobility Managers
To mitigate risk and maintain workforce continuity, organizations should take immediate steps to:
- Audit their visa portfolios to identify employees and dependents potentially impacted
- Delay or adjust travel for individuals with pending visa appointments or renewals (e.g. STEM OPT)
- Develop internal communications to guide affected teams and HR functions
- Evaluate eligibility for waiver or national interest exceptions with legal counsel
USILAW supports clients across all sectors with real-time risk analysis, legal strategy, waiver documentation, and interagency engagement. We offer scalable, attorney-led immigration counsel that meets the evolving compliance needs of U.S. and global employers.
For a tailored impact assessment or policy strategy consultation, contact our advisory team directly at info@usilaw.com
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or establish an attorney-client relationship.
