On June 4, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (“the Order”) restricting the ability of nationals from nineteen (19) countries from entering the United States. The following countries are subject to what the Order terms “Full Suspension of Entry”, meaning all entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants is suspended: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The following seven (7) countries are subject to Partial Suspension of Entry: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Nationals of countries subject to Partial Suspension of Entry under the Order are barred from entry into the United States on B-1, B-2, F, M, and J, visas.
The Order does include some limits on the restrictions. Specifically, the limitations on entry only apply to foreign nationals of the designated countries who (1) are outside the United States on the Order’s effective date (June 9, 2025); and (2) do not have a valid visa on the Order’s effective date. The Order therefore indicates that individuals with a current visa in their passport that would otherwise be subject to the entry restrictions would not be denied entry. Other exceptions to the Order’s entry restrictions include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Any lawful permanent resident of the United States (aka Green Card holders);
- Any dual national of a designated country who attempts entry into the United States with a passport issued by a country that is not restricted under the Order;
- Any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State; and
- Immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship
The Order also provides for the Secretary of State to allow for additional exceptions on a case-by-case basis upon a finding that the specific travel would serve a U.S. national interest.
As noted above, the Order’s restrictions go into place on June 9, 2025. Employers should direct foreign national workers impacted by the Order to avoid international travel for the foreseeable future.
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