On December 16, 2025, President Trump issued a new Proclamation further restricting and limiting the entry of foreign nationals from dozens of countries. Citing national security concerns and deficiencies in foreign screening and vetting protocols, this action significantly expands the scope of earlier restrictions established in Proclamation 10949.

Key Takeaways from the New Proclamation

The primary objective of the administration is to protect U.S. citizens from foreign nationals who may intend to commit terrorist attacks or exploit immigration laws. To achieve this, the government is focusing on countries that fail to meet U.S. standards for identity management and information sharing.

• Significant Expansion of Targeted Countries: The Proclamation maintains full entry suspensions for 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It also adds 7 new countries to the full suspension list: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria.
• Broadening Partial Suspensions: Partial restrictions have been newly imposed on 15 countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia. In these cases, entry for immigrants and specific nonimmigrant categories (such as B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas) is generally suspended.
• Restriction on Palestinian Authority Documents: The Proclamation fully suspends the entry of individuals traveling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority (PA), citing weak control in the West Bank and Gaza and the impact of recent conflict on vetting capabilities.
• Elimination of Broad Family Exceptions: Critically, the administration is narrowing previous exceptions. Immigrant visas for family members of individuals in the U.S. are no longer a broad categorical exception, with the administration claiming familial ties have been used as “unique vectors” for fraudulent or criminal activity.
• Targeting “Citizenship by Investment” (CBI): The Proclamation highlights risks associated with countries offering “passports for purchase” without residency requirements, specifically naming Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica as subject to partial suspensions due to these programs.

Full Suspension of Entry

The entry of all nationals from these countries as both immigrants and nonimmigrants is fully suspended.

Partial Suspension of Entry

For these countries, entry is limited for immigrants and specific nonimmigrant visa categories—typically B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visas.

Specific Grounds for Restrictions

The administration cited several recurring issues that led to these designations:

• High Visa Overstay Rates: Countries like Laos (up to 34.77% for B-1/B-2) and Sierra Leone (35.83% for F, M, J) were highlighted for high rates of nationals remaining in the U.S. past their authorized stay.
• Refusal to Accept Removable Nationals: Burkina Faso, Laos, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and The Gambia have historically refused or failed to accept the return of their citizens ordered removed from the U.S.
• Terrorist Activity and Instability: Widespread activity of radical groups was noted in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and areas under the Palestinian Authority.
• Citizenship by Investment (CBI): Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica were specifically noted for offering “CBI without residency,” which the administration claims allows individuals to circumvent screening

Who is Exempt?

While the restrictions are broad, certain individuals remain exempt from these entry limitations:

• Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders).
• Dual Nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country.
• Certain Visa Classifications, including A-1, A-2, G-1 through G-4, and NATO visas.
• Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. Government employees.
• Athletes traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup or Olympics.
• Refugees and Asylees who have already been admitted or granted status in the U.S.

Case-by-Case Waivers and National Interest Exceptions

While the new restrictions are extensive, the Proclamation provides specific mechanisms for individuals to seek an exception. These “case-by-case” waivers are not guaranteed and are granted at the sole discretion of high-level government officials.

Discretionary Authority

Exceptions to the entry suspensions can be made by the following officials if they determine the travel is in the national interest:

• The Attorney General: May grant exceptions if the individual’s travel would advance a critical U.S. national interest involving the Department of Justice. This specifically includes instances where an individual is required to participate in criminal proceedings as a witness.
• The Secretary of State: May grant exceptions if the travel is found to serve a U.S. national interest.
• The Secretary of Homeland Security: May grant exceptions if the travel is found to serve a U.S. national interest.

Coordination Requirements

The Proclamation emphasizes a coordinated approach for these exceptions:

• Any waiver granted by the Attorney General must be done in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

• Waivers granted by the Secretary of State must be coordinated with the Secretary of Homeland Security.

• Waivers granted by the Secretary of Homeland Security must be coordinated with the Secretary of State.

Narrowing of Family Exceptions

It is important to note that the administration has intentionally moved away from broad categorical exceptions. Previously, immigrant visas for family members were often excepted, but this is no longer the case under the new Proclamation. The administration now requires that any “extraordinary cases” involving family members be addressed through these specific national-interest waivers rather than a general rule.

Looking Ahead

This Proclamation is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026. It does not revoke any visas issued before the effective date. The Secretary of State is required to report to the President every 180 days to recommend whether these restrictions should be continued or modified.

At Cohen, Tucker + Ades, we understand that these rapidly evolving policies can create significant uncertainty for families and employers. If you or a loved one are concerned about how these new restrictions may impact your travel or immigration status, please contact our office for a consultation.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains general information and is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. Immigration laws and fee schedules are subject to frequent change. The information provided herein may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act or refrain from acting based on information contained in this post without seeking professional counsel from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this post.

Sources:

Trump, Donald | RESTRICTING AND LIMITING THE ENTRY OF FOREIGN NATIONALS TO PROTECT THE SECURITY OF THE UNITED STATES, December 16, 2025