US President Donald Trump.
By Peter Mwibanda.
June 23, 2025
NAIROBI, Kenya (IP)
A sweeping new U.S. travel ban signed by President Donald Trump on June 9 has suspended or restricted entry to the United States for nationals from 19 countries, raising concerns among Kenyan families, students, and businesses with ties to affected nations.
Under the executive order (EO), nationals from 12 countries—including Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Iran, and Yemen—are fully barred from entering the U.S. as immigrants or nonimmigrants.
Another seven countries—including Burundi, Cuba, and Sierra Leone—face partial bans that suspend student (F, M) and exchange (J) visas, as well as business and tourist (B-1/B-2) travel.
The EO, titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” cites national security concerns, inadequate vetting systems, and high visa overstay rates in affected nations.
Implications for Kenyans.
While Kenya is not listed in the ban, the ripple effects will be felt. Kenyan students attending or planning to study alongside peers from banned nations may face disruptions, especially in programs reliant on international diversity.
Businesses operating in or with the affected countries face workforce and trade uncertainties.
Importantly, Somali-Kenyans with family ties in Somalia could see delays in family reunification, while Kenyan employers sponsoring staff from restricted countries may need to reconsider hiring plans.
Humanitarian exemptions exist for refugees, asylum seekers, and green card holders, and athletes traveling for global competitions are not affected.
A second EO targeting foreign students and researchers at Harvard University was temporarily blocked by a U.S. federal court.
The State Department has instructed embassies to comply with the court order, but uncertainty remains.
Next Steps
The restrictions, subject to periodic review, can be extended, lifted, or expanded. The EO also signals that other nations—possibly Egypt—could be added.
Kenyan immigration lawyers and education consultants are advising clients with ties to affected countries to seek legal guidance immediately and monitor visa policy developments closely.
So far, Chad is the only country to respond with reciprocal travel restrictions on U.S. citizens.
Ends.
