The Trump administration issued two Presidential Proclamations on June 4 with the first taking effect June 9 and imposing full and partial travel restrictions barring entry to the U.S. for 19 countries, subject to certain exceptions. The second imposes restrictions on certain international students pursuing studies at Harvard University.

Key Points:

  • Two proclamations issued by President Trump on June 4 restrict entry to the U.S. and visa issuance.
  • One proclamation takes effect on June 9 and follows up on Executive Order 14161 to restrict entry to the U.S. from 19 total countries deemed high-risk for terrorism and national security threats, including:
    • Fully restricting and limiting entry for immigrant and nonimmigrant nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
    • Partially restricting and limiting issuance of immigrant visas and B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J nonimmigrant visas for nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
  • The country-related restrictions apply only to nationals of designated countries who are outside of the U.S. on June 9 and who do not have a valid visa by that date.
  • Restrictions on nationals from the above countries were based on a determination that “vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full or partial suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1182(f),” and will be subject to periodic review.
  • The proclamation also outlines certain exceptions and confirms that no nonimmigrant or immigrant visa that was issued before June 9 will be revoked as a result of the proclamation.
  • The second proclamation, effective immediately, suspends the entry of any foreign national into the United States as a nonimmigrant to pursue a course of study at Harvard University under the F-1, M-1 or J-1 visa programs and will remain in effect for six months unless extended.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals are reminded to speak with their BAL team prior to international travel and to be aware of general travel requirements, including maintaining valid status in the U.S. The above policies may be subject to litigation. BAL will continue to monitor developments and update accordingly. U.S. immigration policies may change quickly and without prior notice.

For the latest updates and insights regarding these policies, in-house immigration professionals are invited to join BAL Community at no cost.

The fact sheet for the proclamation, “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” can be found here.

The fact sheet for the proclamation, “Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University,” can be found here.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. 

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.