US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning citizens from 12 countries, including ten African nations, from entering the United States, citing national security concerns. The ban takes effect immediately on Monday.

According to a White House statement released on Wednesday, the countries targeted by the ban were identified as posing significant security risks to the US due to inadequate screening and vetting procedures.

The African countries affected by the proclamation include Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, and three others. Non-African nations on the list are Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Haiti, Iran, and Yemen.

National Security Concerns Cited

"This action is part of the President's commitment to safeguarding the United States from foreign terrorist threats and other national security and public safety risks," the White House statement read.

The proclamation also "partially restricts and limits" entry for nationals from seven additional countries "who also pose a high level of risk" to the US. These include Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Exceptions to the Ban

The White House has clarified that the proclamation makes exceptions for certain categories of individuals. These include lawful permanent residents, people with valid visas, and those falling under specific visa categories.

This latest immigration restriction comes as part of the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to tighten border security and immigration policies. The move is likely to affect thousands of travelers and immigrants from the affected nations, particularly those from the African continent.

The ban has already drawn criticism from human rights organizations and immigration advocates, who argue that it disproportionately targets African nations and could separate families with members in both the US and the affected countries.