Keypoints:
- Existing US visas remain valid under new ban
- New visa approvals halted for 12 countries
- Affected nations include seven in Africa
THE US State Department has instructed embassies and consulates not to revoke existing visas for citizens of 12 countries affected by President Donald Trump’s new travel ban, even as new visa approvals are halted starting Monday.
According to a diplomatic cable obtained by AFP, consular staff have been told not to take action on visas that were already issued before the ban’s effective date of June 9 at midnight ET (7 p.m. GMT).
‘No action should be taken for issued visas which have already left the consular section,’ the cable states. ‘No visas issued prior to the effective date should be revoked pursuant to this proclamation.’
New visas blocked, with few exceptions
However, individuals whose visa applications have been approved but not yet issued will be denied unless they qualify for a narrow exemption, according to the directive signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Starting Monday, visa applications from the affected countries will be rejected unless applicants meet strict criteria for waivers—criteria that have yet to be publicly clarified.
Africa most affected by the new ban
Of the 12 countries listed, seven are in Africa: Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo will face partial travel restrictions.
The ban, announced by President Trump on Wednesday, is being justified on national security grounds and follows a strategy that seeks to restrict entry at the application level, rather than once individuals arrive at US ports of entry.
Entry still up to border officers
While the State Department can issue or deny visas, entry into the US remains the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security, and specifically, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers.
This means travellers holding valid visas could still be turned away at the border, depending on CBP discretion. Legal advocates are already preparing for possible detentions and challenges at airports starting next week.
Past legal challenges shape policy
Trump’s first travel ban in 2017 sparked confusion and protests, leading to court rulings that forced the administration to revise its approach. The latest proclamation appears designed to withstand legal challenges by narrowing its focus to the visa process itself.
Still, critics argue the move disproportionately affects African and Middle Eastern countries and undermines the spirit of US immigration law.
As enforcement begins, observers will be closely watching how embassies and border agents interpret and apply the policy in practice.
