Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Restricts the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

6/4/2025

Fact Sheets

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Action Summary

Purpose: Protect the United States from foreign terrorists and national security/public safety threats by restricting entry of certain foreign nationals.
Legal Authority:
- Based on President Trump’s Executive Order 14161 (January 20, 2025).
- Upheld by the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii via section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Key Measures:
- Full Restrictions: Nationals from 12 countries (Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen) are fully restricted due to inadequate screening, high visa overstay rates, terrorism connections, and/or lack of cooperation in repatriating removable nationals.
- Partial Restrictions: Nationals from 7 countries (Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela) face partial restrictions based on similar security concerns.
Exceptions: Includes lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve U.S. national interests.
Justification & Rationale:
- Robust assessment by national security agencies identifying deficiencies in screening and vetting practices.
- High visa overstay rates and historical non-cooperation by some countries compound the risk.
- Effort to restore and secure U.S. borders by building on the travel ban implemented during Trump’s first term.
Implementation Context:
- Derived from detailed DHS Entry/Exit Overstay Reports providing statistical evidence.
- Measures are designed to encourage foreign governments to improve their screening protocols and cooperation.

Risks & Considerations

The Proclamation’s restrictions on entry from certain countries could significantly impact Vanderbilt University’s international student population, particularly those from the affected countries. This may lead to a decrease in diversity and a potential loss of talent.
There is a risk of increased administrative burden on the university’s admissions and international student offices to navigate the complexities of the new entry restrictions and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
The restrictions may affect the university’s ability to recruit and retain international faculty and researchers, potentially impacting research output and academic collaborations.
Vanderbilt may need to provide additional support and resources to affected students and staff, including legal assistance and mental health services, to help them navigate the challenges posed by the travel restrictions.
The Proclamation could lead to reputational risks for the university if perceived as not supportive of its international community, potentially affecting future international partnerships and collaborations.

Impacted Programs

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will likely face increased demand for guidance and support from affected students and scholars, necessitating additional resources and staffing.
Office of Global Safety and Security may need to enhance its efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff affected by the travel restrictions, both domestically and abroad.
Vanderbilt’s Admissions Office might need to adjust its recruitment strategies to mitigate the impact of decreased applications from the affected countries.
The Office of the Provost may need to explore alternative pathways for international collaboration and research partnerships to counteract the potential loss of international talent.

Financial Impact

The restrictions could lead to a decrease in tuition revenue from international students, particularly those from the affected countries, impacting the university’s financial stability.
Vanderbilt may incur additional costs related to legal assistance, administrative support, and mental health services for affected students and staff.
There may be a need for increased investment in international recruitment efforts to diversify the student body and offset potential declines in applications from the restricted countries.
The university might experience changes in funding opportunities, particularly if federal grants prioritize domestic over international research collaborations.

Relevance Score: 4 (The Proclamation presents high risks involving major transformations in international student and faculty dynamics.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) should closely monitor the impact of the travel restrictions on students and scholars from the affected countries. This includes providing support and guidance to those who may face challenges in entering or re-entering the United States.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to advocate for exceptions or adjustments that could benefit the university’s international community, particularly in cases where the entry of students and scholars serves U.S. national interests.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Affairs Office should review and update policies related to international travel and immigration to ensure compliance with the new Proclamation and to protect the university’s interests.
The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the implications of the travel restrictions for international relations and national security. This research can provide valuable insights and inform public discourse on the effectiveness and consequences of such policies.
Vanderbilt’s Global Education Office should explore alternative study abroad and exchange programs in countries not affected by the travel restrictions to ensure continued international engagement and opportunities for students.

Opportunities

The travel restrictions present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Center for International Studies to host forums and discussions on the impact of national security policies on global mobility and education. This can position Vanderbilt as a leader in the conversation on balancing security and international collaboration.
By leveraging its expertise in international law and policy, Vanderbilt can contribute to the development of best practices for managing the challenges posed by travel restrictions, potentially influencing future policy decisions.
The university can strengthen partnerships with institutions in countries not affected by the travel restrictions, enhancing its global network and creating new opportunities for collaboration and research.

Relevance Score: 4 (The travel restrictions necessitate major process changes to support affected international students and scholars, and to ensure compliance with new immigration policies.)

Average Relevance Score: 4

Timeline for Implementation

Effective immediately upon issuance on June 4, 2025, with no additional implementation period specified.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Homeland Security (DHS): DHS is central to enforcing the travel ban through its oversight of border security, visa screening, and data collection (e.g., the Entry/Exit Overstay Report).
Department of State: The State Department is involved through its coordination with the Secretary of State, which provided the report that informed the national security assessments underlying the Proclamation.
Department of Defense (DoD): Implied by active U.S. military operations in Yemen, the DoD plays a role in the broader national security context that supports the ban’s justification.

Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of Federal Agencies are impacted by the Proclamation.)

Responsible Officials

President Donald J. Trump – Signed the Proclamation and set the overall national security directive, thereby spearheading the initiative.
Secretary of State – Submitted the report and coordinated with other cabinet officials to assess the threat environment.
Cabinet Officials – Collaborated in evaluating security risks and guiding policy decisions arising from the Proclamation.
National Security Agencies – Conducted the risk assessments necessary to determine which countries posed unacceptable security threats.

Relevance Score: 5 (This directive affects White House and Cabinet officials as well as high-level national security agencies, reflecting significant strategic and implementation responsibilities.)