It started with a signature and a chaotic Friday night at JFK. You probably remember the headlines from 2017—lawyers sitting on airport floors with laptops, families separated by a glass partition, and a political firestorm that basically redefined American immigration for a generation. Most people call it the "Muslim Ban," though the government preferred "Executive Order 13769." Honestly, the list of countries on the muslim ban changed so many times between 2017 and 2026 that keeping track of who can actually enter the U.S. has become a full-time job for immigration attorneys.
The policy wasn't a single event. It was a shifting target.
By the time the Supreme Court got involved, the list had morphed into a complex web of visa restrictions that didn't just target Muslim-majority nations but also included places like North Korea and Venezuela. It was a legal chess match. Critics called it religious discrimination; the administration called it "enhanced vetting."
The Original List of Countries on the Muslim Ban
When the first order dropped in January 2017, it was a blunt instrument. It hit seven countries immediately: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. People with valid visas were literally pulled off planes.
It was messy.
The courts stepped in almost immediately, freezing the order. This led to "Version 2.0" (Executive Order 13780) in March 2017. Iraq was dropped from the list because they agreed to better information sharing with the U.S. government. Sudan stayed for a bit, but then things got even weirder with "Version 3.0" (Proclamation 9645).
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This third version is what the Supreme Court eventually upheld in Trump v. Hawaii. To make the "security" argument stick, the administration added non-Muslim countries. North Korea was added. Venezuela was added, though only for certain government officials. Chad was added, then removed a few months later after they "fixed" their passport protocols.
Who was on the list by 2020?
Before the 2020 election, the list expanded again under Proclamation 9983. This time, it hit several African and Central Asian nations:
- Eritrea (Immigrant visas suspended)
- Kyrgyzstan (Immigrant visas suspended)
- Myanmar (Immigrant visas suspended)
- Nigeria (Immigrant visas suspended)
- Sudan (Diversity lottery visas suspended)
- Tanzania (Diversity lottery visas suspended)
Then, Joe Biden took office. On day one, he signed Proclamation 10141, which basically threw the whole thing in the trash. For about four years, the "ban" was a piece of history. But history has a way of repeating itself, and as of late 2025 and early 2026, the landscape has shifted again.
The 2026 Reality: New Countries and Broader Bans
If you're looking for the current list of countries on the muslim ban, the situation in 2026 is actually much more restrictive than it was in 2017. President Trump, returning to office, issued Proclamation 10949 in June 2025 and expanded it significantly in December 2025.
We aren't just talking about seven countries anymore.
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The new "Travel Ban" effective January 1, 2026, targets 39 different countries and even includes travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The rationale has shifted from just "terrorism" to include "visa overstay rates."
Countries under "Full Restrictions" (No Immigrant or Non-immigrant Visas)
As of early 2026, these countries face the most severe barriers. If you are a national of one of these places, getting a tourist, student, or work visa is nearly impossible without a rare waiver:
- Middle East/North Africa: Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Somalia, Sudan, Chad, Eritrea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea.
- Other: Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, Laos.
Syria is a particularly tough case. The U.S. government claims there is no "central authority" to verify Syrian passports, making "vetting" impossible in their eyes.
The Nigeria Factor
The inclusion of Nigeria in the 2026 restrictions is huge. In the past decade, Nigerians received over 100,000 visas annually. Now, almost all of that is blocked. The administration points to a B-1/B-2 overstay rate of over 5%, but for families trying to reunite, it feels like a wall.
Why the "Muslim Ban" Label Still Sticks
Even though countries like Haiti and North Korea have been on these lists, the term "Muslim Ban" persists. Why? Because the rhetoric hasn't changed much. During the 2024 campaign, the language often focused on "refugees from terror-prone countries" and "slamming the door."
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Legally, the government argues these are security measures. They look at things like:
- Does the country issue electronic passports?
- Do they report lost or stolen passports to Interpol?
- Do they share criminal and "terrorist" data with the U.S.?
- What is the visa overstay rate for their citizens?
But the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling in Trump v. Hawaii basically gave the President a "blank check" under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That law says the President can suspend the entry of any "class of aliens" if their entry would be "detrimental to the interests of the United States." It's a massive amount of power.
Actionable Steps for Affected Families
If you or a loved one are from a country on the current list, the situation is grim but not always a dead end. Here is what you need to know right now:
- Check Your Visa Date: The 2026 ban generally does not revoke visas that were already valid before January 1, 2026. If you have a visa in your passport, it’s usually still good for travel, though you should expect intense questioning at the border.
- The Waiver Process: You can still apply for a "Case-by-Case Waiver." To get one, you have to prove three things: that denying you entry would cause "undue hardship," that your entry is in the "national interest," and that you pose no threat to security. Historically, these are only granted in about 5-10% of cases.
- Dual Nationality: If you are a citizen of a banned country (like Iran) but also hold a passport from a non-banned country (like Canada or the UK), you can usually still travel using the non-banned passport.
- Exemptions: Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) are exempt. So are diplomats and, in some cases, people traveling for urgent medical treatment.
The legal battle is far from over. Organizations like the American Immigration Council and the Brennan Center are already filing new lawsuits against the 2026 expansions. They argue that the ban violates the "No Ban Act" principles and targets people based on race and religion rather than actual risk.
For now, the list of countries on the muslim ban remains a moving target. If you're planning travel or an immigration petition, consult with a board-certified immigration attorney immediately. Don't rely on old lists from 2017; the 2026 rules are a whole different animal.
Stay updated on the Federal Register. That’s where the official changes are posted first.