By Asha Elmi

WASHINGTON, USA – Somalia has been added to the list of 12 countries whose citizens are banned from entering the United States, following the signing of legislation by U.S. President Donald J. Trump on June 4, 2025. The law, published on the official White House website, is aimed at enhancing U.S. national security.

The Somali citizens banned from entering the U.S. include those seeking to reside permanently as well as those intending to visit temporarily.

According to the statement from the White House, the reason Somalia was added to the list is that it lacks sufficient governmental capacity to issue passports or legal documents, and it also does not have adequate systems to screen incoming travelers.

“The entry into the United States of nationals of Somalia as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.” the statement from the White House read.

The U.S. government pointed out that Somalia is different from other countries on the list because it lacks a strong central government to control its territory and has consistently failed to accept or deport its citizens who have been removed from the U.S. or are deemed deportable.

The U.S. administration also mentioned that Somalia is a location where terrorist groups use its territory to plan, facilitate, and execute their operations.