A new set of immigration restrictions signed in 2025 by President Donald Trump took effect on Jan. 1, including a full travel ban on citizens of seven countries and expanded limits on visas and entry procedures.
Under the orders, individuals from Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Syria are barred from entering the United States. The restrictions apply to both immigrants and nonimmigrants, according to a CBP document dated Dec. 29 obtained by ABC News.
The new ban adds to existing travel restrictions affecting nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Partial travel restrictions also remain in place for individuals from Venezuela and Cuba.
The White House has said the measures are based on national security and public safety concerns. Immigrant advocacy groups argue the policy disproportionately affects African and Muslim-majority countries.
Other immigration restrictions now in effect include:
H-1B Visa Changes Take Effect
The travel ban coincides with changes to the H-1B visa program, which allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations and has shifted from a lottery-based selection system to a weighted process that prioritizes higher-wage positions.
"The existing random selection process of H-1B registrations was exploited and abused by U.S. employers who were primarily seeking to import foreign workers at lower wages," said Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ABC News.
Expanded Screening and Monitoring of Travelers
Additional rules implemented in late December expand the use of facial recognition technology for non-U.S. citizens entering and exiting the country. The Department of Homeland Security said the rule authorizes Customs and Border Protection to collect facial biometrics at airports, land ports and seaports. Green card holders are included, while U.S. citizens may opt in voluntarily.
Separately, DHS is moving to require foreign travelers applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to disclose social media activity from the past five years, citing a January 2025 executive order on national security screening.
Changes to Citizenship Pathways
Other measures introduced in recent months include a revised U.S. citizenship test that doubles the number of civics questions applicants must answer, as well as the launch of a new residency pathway known as the "Trump Gold Card," which offers lawful permanent resident status to applicants who pay a $1 million fee and pass an expedited review.
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