Last week, US President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order that fully or partially suspends the entry of nationals from 19 countries, most of them African countries, from Monday 9 June 2025.
- •The executive order cites national security threats, visa overstays, and insufficient cooperation from foreign governments in vetting and identity-sharing procedures.
- •It imposes full suspensions on 12 countries, seven of them from Africa-Chad, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Eritrea, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea.
- •It also imposes partial immigration suspensions-affecting tourists, students, and temporary workers-on Burundi, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Chad.
“The restrictions and limitations imposed by this proclamation are, in my judgment, necessary to prevent the entry or admission of foreign nationals about whom the United States Government lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose to the United States.” Trump said.
Trump’s order cites high visa overstay rates as one of the driving factors. Chad, for example, had an overstay rate of nearly 50% for business and tourist visas and over 55% for student and exchange visas. Equatorial Guinea was listed as having a 70% overstay rate for student visas.
The administration also claims the targeted countries either fail to share adequate security data with U.S. authorities, making background checks difficult.
The proclamation, one of the broadest immigration restrictions of Trump’s second term, affects both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas and will take effect on June 9, 2025.
Affected African Countries at a Glance:
| Country | Type of Restriction | Cited Concern |
| Chad | Full Suspension | High Visa Overstay Rate |
| Somalia | Full Suspension | Terror Threat, No Central Passport Authority |
| Sudan | Full Suspension | Poor Documentation, Overstay Issues |
| Libya | Full Suspension | Historical Terrorist Presence, No Central Passport Authority |
| Eritrea | Full Suspension | Non-cooperation, Missing Criminal Records |
| Republic of Congo | Full Suspension | High Visa Overstay Rate |
| Equatorial Guinea | Full Suspension | High Student Visa Overstay Rate |
| Burundi | Partial Suspension | High Visa Overstay Rate |
| Sierra Leone | Partial Suspension | Overstays, non-acceptance of deportees |
| Togo | Partial Suspension | High Visa Overstay Rate |
In the visa ban’s announcement, President Trump tasked the U.S State Department to work with affected governments to improve cooperation and potentially lift restrictions. However, it also warns that non-compliance may lead to prolonged or expanded bans.
This latest move reinforces Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, a cornerstone of both his 2016 and 2024 campaigns, and could become a flashpoint in upcoming congressional and legal battles. It also comes at a time when many African nations are strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with global partners, including China and Russia.