In June 2025, the Trump administration barred the entry of citizens from 12 countries to the United States, while citizens from seven other nations faced restrictions. Just days after the travel ban went into effect, the administration drafted an internal memo considering the addition of 36 more countries—mostly in Africa—if they failed to meet US vetting requirements.
But this isn't the first time foreign nationals have been targeted. These kinds of policies go back to the late 1800s, with the issuance of the Chinese Exclusion Act. And the measures have really never stopped.
Want to know more about the history of travel bans issued by the US government? Click on to find out.