Five African Countries Affected By U.S. Ban

On June 4, 2025, the United States government, under President Donald Trump, issued a new executive order banning nationals from five African countries Chad, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Somalia from traveling to the United States.

The order will go into effect on June 9, and includes both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories.

The U.S. government cited concerns over national security, weak identity verification systems, and poor cooperation on deportation enforcement as the reasons for the ban.

Justification given for the ban

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, these five African nations failed to meet key information sharing benchmarks. Officials claimed that the countries either did not reliably verify the identities of their citizens or refused to accept nationals deported from the United States.

They also warned that continued gaps in data sharing and background checks could pose a threat to U.S. national security.

Somalia and Eritrea had been listed under earlier restrictions during Trump’s first term in office. Chad had previously been removed from the original 2017 travel ban but has now been added back under what the administration called a “reassessment of global compliance.”

Equatorial Guinea and the DRC however, are newly added to the list.

The revised policy is seen as a broader effort by the administration to clamp down on immigration, especially from countries deemed “high risk.”

What This Means For Citizens of These Countries

People from these five African countries will no longer be issued visas for purposes of tourism, education, employment, or family reunification.

The ban affects thousands of students, workers, and family members. According to 2024 U.S. State Department data, Somalia alone accounted for over 2,500 U.S. student and refugee visa recipients.

U.S. permanent residents and dual citizens are not affected, and exceptions exist for humanitarian and diplomatic purposes. However, for most ordinary applicants, the path to America is now closed.

Reactions Across Africa

The move sparked immediate criticism across the continent. The African Union expressed concern calling the measure discriminatory and urging the U.S. to reconsider.

The government of Chad issued a statement suspending visa issuance to American citizens in response to what it called an “unwarranted and disrespectful decision.”

Somalia stated it was in active dialogue with U.S. authorities to improve security protocols and “re-establish trust.”

The DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was “surprised and disheartened,” and emphasized that it had made considerable progress in passport technology and identity screening.

Eritrea and Equatorial Guinea have not publicly responded but are reportedly conducting internal security reviews.

Public and Social Reactions

Domestically, the travel ban has reignited debates about race, religion, and America’s immigration posture.

Supporters of the administration say it is a necessary precaution. Homeland Security officials claim the ban is “data-driven” and not racially motivated.

Critics, including members of Congress and civil rights groups, call the ban xenophobic and point out that most of the countries listed are African or Muslim-majority nations.

Immigration advocacy organizations such as the ACLU have announced plans to file lawsuits challenging the ban’s legality.

World Leaders Response

Several African and international leaders took to social media to condemn the decision.

Kenya’s President Amina Odinga posted on X: “This ban is unfair and deeply hurtful to the people of Africa. We must continue to advocate for dignity, respect, and fairness in global migration policy.”

Nigerian senator and former presidential candidate Chuka Okoye wrote: “Five African nations banned. One policy built on suspicion and silence. The continent must speak with one voice.”

X user @afrikaren posted: “My cousin finally got her student visa to study medicine in Boston. Today it was cancelled. She cried. I cried. We all deserve better.”

What Comes Next

The U.S. State Department has indicated that the countries may be removed from the ban if they improve data-sharing, adopt biometric identity systems, and commit to accepting deported nationals.

There is currently no timeline for reassessment.

The 2025 travel ban widely seen as one of the most consequential foreign policy decisions of Trump’s renewed presidency has strained Washington’s already fragile relationships with parts of the African continent.

Whether the decision enhances security or widens global divides remains to be seen.