President Donald Trump has implemented travel restrictions for citizens from 10 African countries, citing national security as a primary concern. These measures, which came into effect on June 3, 2025, are based on a White House fact sheet asserting that the policies are necessary to ‘keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country.’ The rationale for the travel ban includes recent events in the United States and international security assessments of the specified African nations.
The president framed the decision in response to a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national was allegedly responsible for an attack against a pro-Israel group advocating for Hamas to release Israeli hostages in the city. Trump’s announcement on X, a social media platform, emphasized the need for ‘restoring the travel ban,’ and reiterated the administration’s stance on combating terrorism through these stringent entry regulations.
The White House has provided an accompanying briefing note to justify the travel restrictions, with a particular focus on countries known for harbor terrorist activity. Somalia, which is home to both al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliated groups, is cited as a ‘terrorist safe haven.’ Similar concerns have been raised about Libya, where the U.S. military has conducted multiple airstrikes in recent months targeting terrorist groups operating in the country. The State Department’s principal deputy spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, expressed support for the decision, describing it as a ‘national security imperative.’ However, some experts argue that while terrorism is a legitimate concern, the decision also reflects broader geopolitical tensions and economic factors affecting U.S. diplomatic relations with these African nations.
Analysts like Bill Roggio, who is associated with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Long War Journal, have pointed out that the travel ban could also be influenced by the current level of instability in several of these African countries. For example, Eritrea has faced international criticism for its alleged support of terrorism and human rights violations, which has strained its relationship with the United States. The U.S. has also imposed sanctions on the leaders of Sudan, a country that has been noted for its high visa overstay rate for its citizens.
Additionally, the U.S. has raised concerns about Chad’s recent geopolitical alignment with Russia, with the country’s leader, Idriss Deby, having recently visited Moscow. The U.S. has expressed worries about the growing influence of Russia in the region and its potential impact on security cooperation. Chad’s nationals, who have reportedly overstayed their visas by up to 55%, are among those affected by the travel restrictions. The decision to impose these travel limits is framed as a necessary measure to protect U.S. national security while also addressing concerns about visa overstays and the potential entry of dangerous foreign actors into the United, according to the State Department.