On June 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”.1  The proclamation restricts the ability of foreign nationals from 19 countries to enter the United States.2  The order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on June 9, 2025, and the stated aims are to prevent the entry into the U.S. of foreign nationals from the listed countries who may pose a terrorism risk, threaten national security, jeopardize public safety, or abuse immigration laws.3

The proclamation issued by President Trump on June 4, fully suspends both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance for foreign nationals from 12 named countries, and suspends immigrant visa issuance and issuance of nonimmigrant visas in the B, F, M, and J categories for nationals of seven other countries.4  The proclamation does not order the revocation of U.S. visas issued to citizens of restricted countries prior to June 9, 2025.5

The proclamation includes certain exceptions, as well as provisions for review and updates every 90 days.6  Notably, the proclamation directs agencies to review the screening and vetting procedures of Egypt, signaling that Egyptian nationals may be subject to U.S. entry restrictions in the foreseeable future.7

WHY THIS MATTERS

The travel ban taking effect on June 9, will affect U.S. employers by potentially making it more difficult to hire, relocate to the U.S., and retain foreign workers from restricted countries.

Foreign nationals of partially restricted countries who are seeking entry to the U.S. in non-prohibited visa categories can also expect to see reduced visa validity periods, as the proclamation taking effect on June 9, 2025, orders consular officers to reduce visa validity to the extent permitted by law.8

Employers are advised to seek the advice of their immigration counsel to discuss the specific immigration strategy for employees and their family members impacted by the proclamation.

Affected Countries 

Fully-Restricted Countries 

The aforementioned proclamation completely suspends U.S. entry for nationals of the following countries:

Afghanistan

Iran

Burma (Myanmar)

Libya

Chad

Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Somalia

Eritrea

Sudan

Haiti

Yemen9

 

Partially-Restricted Countries 

The proclamation issued on June 4, suspends U.S. entry for immigrants and certain nonimmigrants in the B-1, B-2, F, M, and J categories from the following countries:

Burundi

Togo

Cuba

Turkmenistan

Laos

Venezuela10

Sierra Leone

 

 

Exceptions

The proclamation of June 4, does not apply to:

  • Foreign nationals from an impacted country who currently hold a valid U.S. visa issued before June 9, 2025.
  • Foreign nationals from an impacted country who are in the U.S. in lawful status as of June 9, 2025.
  • U.S. permanent residents.
  • Dual citizens entering the U.S. with a passport issued by a non-restricted country.
  • Individuals entering with an immediate relative immigrant visa (IR-1/CR-1; IR-2/CR-2, IR-5).
  • Athletes, coaches, “persons performing a necessary supporting role, and immediate relatives traveling” for major sporting events, as determined by the secretary of state.
  • Individuals entering the U.S. with certain other immigrant visas:
    • Adoption (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4);
    • Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;
    • Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees; and
    • “Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.”
  • Exceptions determined by the attorney general, in coordination with the secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security, for foreign nationals whose travel is determined to advance a critical U.S. national interest involving the Department of Justice.
  • Foreign nationals whose travel is to serve a U.S. national interest, as determined by the secretary of state, in coordination with the secretary of homeland security.
  • Asylees and refugees already admitted to the United States.
  • Foreign nationals granted withholding of removal or protection under the Convention against Torture (CAT).11

 

KPMG INSIGHTS

  • Nationality-based travel bans were implemented by executive order during President Trump’s first term (2017-2021).12  These travel bans were subject to legal challenge, but the U.S. Supreme Court ultimately held that the president has broad power to suspend entry of foreign nationals due to national security concerns.13  The Court also held that laws prohibiting nationality-based discrimination do not limit the president’s power to determine who may enter the United States.14
  • Nationals of the countries facing restrictions on U.S. entry as of June 9, 2025, should consult with legal counsel to determine specifically how the restrictions will impact them.
  • The U.S. Department of State is expected to issue guidance on the implementation of the proclamation, including details of how to apply for a stated exception.
  • The proclamation is not expected to impact change or extension of status filings submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  • Given the fluidity of the travel ban, it is advisable for anyone impacted by the proclamation to enter the U.S. with a valid visa before June 9, 2025.  We further recommend that anyone currently in the U.S. and subject to the proclamation consult with immigration counsel before departing the United States.
  •  Egyptian nationals should be prepared for potential U.S. entry restrictions.

KPMG Law LLP in Canada is tracking this matter closely.  We will endeavor to keep readers of GMS Flash Alert posted on any important developments as and when they occur.

FOOTNOTES:

1  Proclamation, June 4, 2025, "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats."

The White House, “Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restricts the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”

Readers may also wish to listen to (or read the transcript of) the State Department spokesperson answering questions relating to the proclamation at “Department Press Briefing – June 5, 2025,” with Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Washington, D.C., June 5, 2025.

2  Ibid.

3  Ibid.

4  Ibid.

5  Ibid.

6  Ibid.

7  Ibid.

8  Ibid.

9  Ibid.

10  Ibid.

11  Ibid.

12  See GMS Flash Alert 2017-018, “United States – Travel Ban and Suspension of Visa Issuance for Seven Countries” (January 31, 2017).

13  17-965 Trump v. Hawaii (06/26/2018).

14 Ibid.

Contacts

laura-wong
Laura Wong

Manager, U.S. Immigration

KPMG in Canada

Elizabeth Nanton
Elizabeth Nanton

Partner and U.S. Immigration Practice Leader, KPMG Law LLP

KPMG in Canada

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* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Canada.

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