Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

6/4/2025

Proclamations

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Action Summary

Purpose and Policy: Protect U.S. citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security or public-safety threats by restricting entry of foreign nationals deemed to pose risks.
Screening and Vetting Measures: Emphasizes the importance of thorough visa screening, vetting protocols, and improved information-sharing and identity-management with foreign governments.
Country-Specific Restrictions:
- Full Suspension: Nationals from 12 countries (Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen) are completely restricted from entry for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
- Partial Suspension: Nationals from 7 countries (Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela) face restrictions and reduced visa validity for specific nonimmigrant categories.
Underlying Evidence: Uses visa overstay rates and historical non-cooperation (e.g., failure to accept back removable nationals, inadequate passport and civil document issuance) as justification for the restrictions.
Interagency Coordination: Directs the Secretary of State to work with the Attorney General, Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, among others, to implement and periodically review these measures.
Exceptions: Excludes lawful permanent residents, dual nationals (traveling on passports from non-designated countries), specific diplomatic and NATO travelers, athletes at major sports events, and certain humanitarian cases (e.g., adoptions, refugee or asylum cases).
Review and Adjustment: Mandates periodic reviews (initially within 90 days and every 180 days thereafter) to assess, modify, or terminate the imposed suspensions and limitations.
Enforcement and Implementation: Requires coordination with domestic and international partners while ensuring that pre-existing visas remain unaffected and that no rights are conferred enforceable against the U.S. government.
Effective Date: The proclamation takes effect at 12:01 am EDT on June 9, 2025.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order imposes full or partial suspensions on the entry of nationals from several countries, which could significantly impact Vanderbilt University’s international student population. This may lead to a decrease in diversity and a potential loss of talent and perspectives that international students bring to the campus.
There is a risk of increased administrative burden on the university’s admissions and international student services offices as they navigate the complexities of these new restrictions and provide support to affected students.
The restrictions could lead to a decrease in applications from international students, affecting the university’s enrollment numbers and potentially impacting its financial health, given the reliance on tuition from international students.
Vanderbilt University may need to enhance its support systems for current international students who may face challenges due to these restrictions, including legal assistance and mental health support.
The university’s research collaborations with institutions in the affected countries could be disrupted, potentially impacting ongoing projects and future partnerships.

Impacted Programs

Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will need to provide additional support and guidance to students from the affected countries, including assistance with visa issues and navigating the new restrictions.
Admissions Office may need to adjust its recruitment strategies to mitigate the potential decrease in applications from international students and explore alternative markets.
Global Education Office might need to reassess study abroad programs and partnerships with institutions in the affected countries, ensuring compliance with the new regulations.
The Office of the Provost may need to engage in advocacy efforts to address the impact of these restrictions on the university’s mission and values.

Financial Impact

The potential decrease in international student enrollment could lead to a reduction in tuition revenue, which may necessitate budget adjustments and impact funding for various programs and initiatives.
Vanderbilt University might face increased costs associated with providing additional support services to affected students, including legal assistance and mental health resources.
Research funding and collaborations with institutions in the affected countries could be jeopardized, potentially impacting the university’s research output and reputation.
The university may need to invest in outreach and recruitment efforts in other regions to offset the potential decline in applications from the affected countries.

Relevance Score: 5 (The order presents critical risks involving legal and regulatory issues that could significantly impact the university’s operations and financial health.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) should closely monitor the impact of the entry restrictions on students and scholars from the affected countries. This includes providing guidance and support to those who may be affected by the travel suspensions and ensuring compliance with the new regulations.
The Office of Federal Relations should engage with policymakers to advocate for exceptions or waivers for students and scholars from the affected countries, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration and diversity in academic environments.
Vanderbilt’s Legal Affairs Office should review the implications of the executive order on current and prospective international students and faculty, ensuring that the university’s policies and procedures are aligned with federal regulations.
The Center for International Studies should explore alternative partnerships and collaborations with institutions in countries not affected by the travel restrictions to maintain and enhance Vanderbilt’s global engagement.
Vanderbilt’s Admissions Office should assess the potential impact on international student recruitment and develop strategies to mitigate any negative effects, such as expanding outreach efforts to other regions.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Political Science Department to conduct research on the implications of immigration policies on national security and public safety. This research can contribute to the broader academic and policy discussions on the balance between security and openness.
Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in international law and human rights to provide thought leadership on the global implications of restrictive immigration policies, potentially influencing future policy developments.
The emphasis on information-sharing and identity-management protocols offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Data Science Institute to engage in research and development of advanced technologies that enhance screening and vetting processes, positioning the university as a leader in this field.

Relevance Score: 4 (The executive order necessitates major process changes for Vanderbilt’s international programs and student services due to the impact on international students and scholars.)

Average Relevance Score: 4

Timeline for Implementation

60 days: Within 60 days of Executive Order 14161’s issuance on January 20, 2025, the Secretary of State, in coordination with other officials, must submit a report identifying countries with deficient screening and vetting procedures.
90 days and every 180 days thereafter: Within 90 days of this proclamation’s effective date (June 9, 2025), the Secretary of State must submit a report on the status of the imposed suspensions and limitations, with subsequent reports every 180 days.

Relevance Score: 3

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of State: The Secretary of State is directed to coordinate with other agencies to assess and implement the entry restrictions and to engage with foreign governments for improved information-sharing and identity management.
Department of Homeland Security: The Secretary of Homeland Security is tasked with implementing the suspensions and limitations on entry, managing visa-related issues, and ensuring border security.
Department of Justice – Attorney General: The Attorney General is involved in the interagency consultations and may grant certain exceptions based on national interest, especially in relation to criminal proceedings and law enforcement.
Department of Defense: The Secretary of Defense is consulted during the evaluation process for national security and counterterrorism measures.
Office of the Director of National Intelligence: The Director of National Intelligence is required to participate in the interagency process to assess threats and coordinate intelligence related to foreign nationals.
Central Intelligence Agency: The Director of the CIA is consulted to provide intelligence analysis on country-specific risks and terrorist threats.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Although mentioned as not being impaired by the proclamation, the OMB’s oversight of budgetary, administrative, and legislative proposals is indirectly affected.

Relevance Score: 3 (Multiple key federal agencies across different domains are impacted.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of State – Charged with identifying countries with deficient vetting and screening protocols, reporting findings through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, and engaging with foreign governments on improved information-sharing; also responsible for case-by-case exemptions.
Attorney General – Responsible for coordinating with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence to assess national security risks and, in certain cases, make discretionary exceptions for critical U.S. national interests.
Secretary of Homeland Security – Tasked with implementing the restrictions during visa issuance, collaborating in planning and enforcement, and ensuring that immigration processes meet the prescribed screening and security requirements.
Director of National Intelligence – Involved in the consultation process to evaluate foreign intelligence and threat information that informs the decision on entry restrictions.
Consular Officers – Directed to reduce the validity of nonimmigrant visas issued to nationals from designated countries, as specified under partial suspensions.
Assistant to the President for Homeland Security – Acts as the conduit for receiving periodic reports submitted by the Secretary of State regarding the assessment and enforcement of the entry limitations.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect high-level Cabinet officials and key agency heads with national security responsibilities.)