In a move that echoes one of the most controversial decisions of his first term, President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation reinstating a travel ban on citizens from over a dozen countries — including Haiti. The policy, announced late Wednesday night, will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025.
The order bars entry into the United States for most citizens of Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, it imposes heightened travel restrictions on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
In the signed proclamation, President Trump stated that the decision was made to “protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.” The ban follows a directive issued on January 20 that tasked federal agencies — including the Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence — to assess countries based on their “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. and their cooperation on immigration, intelligence sharing, and security enforcement.
The policy marks a return to a hardline immigration stance that defined Trump’s previous administration and drew fierce legal opposition and global condemnation. Although the new order does not specifically single out Haiti, its inclusion on the list of fully banned nations has already triggered alarm within the Haitian-American community.
According to U.S. officials, the ban is expected to impact the vast majority of visa categories — including business, education, and tourism. While some exceptions may apply for diplomats or individuals with dual nationality, no comprehensive list of exemptions has been released.
The timing of the ban — taking effect in under a week — has left advocacy groups scrambling. Immigration attorneys, civil rights advocates, and community organizations are preparing for a new wave of legal challenges. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are also expected to respond, though deep partisan divides will likely shape the debate ahead of the November 2025 presidential election.
For Haitian families in the United States and abroad, the travel ban carries serious implications — from reuniting with loved ones to securing opportunities for work, study, or safety. Many in the diaspora fear a chilling effect on travel, uncertainty around legal status, and further strain on an already fragile U.S.-Haiti relationship.
As always, L’union Suite remains committed to covering the policies that affect our community. We will continue monitoring the implementation of the travel ban and its consequences on Haitian families and the broader Caribbean-American population.
Stay connected with us for updates, expert perspectives, and stories from those directly impacted.
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