Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK The United States takes a dramatic step against terrorism threats.
Starting today, June 9, 2025, citizens of 19 countries will no longer be eligible for U.S. visas. The countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and others.
According to the White House announcement, the decision was made "in accordance with a presidential proclamation concerning the restriction of entry of foreign citizens to protect the U.S. from foreign terrorists and other threats to national and public security," effective today, June 9, 2025.
The White House statement reads: "We protect our country and its citizens through rigorous screening and examination procedures focused on security to ensure that those approved for entry do not endanger national or public safety. From now, the State Department completely halts visa issuance.
Exceptions were made for certain diplomatic and official visas, some immigrant visas for direct family members (spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens), adoptions by U.S. citizens, immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, participants in major sports events, and more.
Visa applicants subject to this presidential proclamation may still apply for visas and schedule interviews, but they may not be eligible for visa issuance or entry to the United States.
This dramatic decision comes with and without connection to two recent attacks on U.S. soil against Jews and Israelis - one in Washington where two Israeli embassy employees were murdered, and the throwing of Molotov cocktails at a rally for hostage release in Boulder, Colorado.