**Trump Revives Travel Ban Targeting 12 Countries Amid Security Concerns**

**Donald Trump has signed a new travel ban affecting nationals from twelve countries, citing national security risks and the need to protect Americans, a move reminiscent of his previous ban from 2017 that faced widespread criticism.**

Donald Trump has officially enacted a travel ban that prohibits nationals from 12 countries entry into the United States, with the White House citing national security as a key justification for this move. The proclamation allows for potential revisions if "material improvements" occur in national security conditions and may expand to include other nations identified as security threats.

The countries affected by this ban include: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, travel for nationals from seven other countries will experience partial restrictions, namely Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The ban is set to take effect early Monday morning, aiming to provide a smoother transition compared to the chaotic implementation of the previous ban in 2017.

The announcement follows recent events, including an alleged terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where the perpetrator—identified as an Egyptian national—injured a dozen people. Trump stated that this incident highlighted the risks posed by foreign nationals who may not have undergone thorough vetting.

Reactions to the travel ban have been mixed, sparking both domestic and international responses. Somalia pledged to collaborate with the U.S. to address any security concerns. Somali Ambassador to the U.S., Dahir Hassan Abdi, noted the importance of their longstanding relationship with America. On the contrary, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warned of the risks of being in the U.S. for anyone from his country, while critics domestically expressed condemnation. Congressman Pramila Jayapal described the restrictions as an extension of Trump’s original 'Muslim ban,' stating it risks further isolating the U.S. globally. In a similar vein, Congressman Don Beyer accused Trump of straying from the foundational ideals of the United States.

This ban marks the former president's return to a divisive policy initiated during his first term, which faced severe pushback for its perceived bias against Muslim-majority nations. The original ban faced court challenges before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, only to be repealed by President Joe Biden in 2021, who labeled it as "a stain on our national conscience." The debate surrounding Trump's renewed restrictions continues to highlight tensions over immigration policy and national security in the United States.