Trump travel ban: Here’s what to know in Miami as restrictions take effect
President Donald Trump’s new travel ban starts this morning and will bar or partially restrict entry from more than a dozen countries over what federal officials say are national security concerns.
South Florida — home to a large group of Cubans, Venezuelans and Haitians — is expected to feel an impact.
Under the new restrictions, many Cuban and Venezuelan nationals will be barred from entering the U.S, including tourists, family visitors and people traveling for business. Green card holders are not affected. The ban also enforces a full suspension of visas for immigrants and non-immigrants from several countries, including Haiti.
Here’s what to know in South Florida:
Day one of travel ban at MIA
Miami International Airport appeared to be business as usual on the first day of the Trump administration travel restrictions for nationals of Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti — countries that are a large source of travel and migration to South Florida.
The ban took effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, triggering concerns for travelers with valid U.S. visas as to whether they would be allowed to board flights and if so, be admitted into the United States.
— Syra Ortiz Blanes , Amanda Rosa , Verónica Egui Brito , Jacqueline Charles and Grethel Aguila
Will Trump travel ban impact MIA?
A Trump administration travel ban that severely restricts the entry of nationals from Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela into the United States started this morning. The Herald has reporters on the scene to see how the policy will affect operations at Miami International Airport.
There are still questions about who will be allowed into the U.S. under the ban — the State Department has said that travelers from the three affected nations will be able to keep their valid, current visas, but it’s up to the Department of Homeland Security to decide whether to let people in at ports of entry.
— Syra Ortiz Blanes
South Florida leaders blast travel ban for Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba
South Florida leaders last week denounced the Trump administration’s travel ban targeting Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela, crisis-wracked nations that are among 19 countries hit with full or partial prohibitions against entering the United States.
They also emphasized the harm the policy would create in the communities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, which boast sizable and thriving populations with roots in Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela.
“The reinstatement of this ban is a direct attack on the values of equity, compassion and opportunity that our city and this nation were built upon. It causes fear, separates families, disrupts lives and unfairly targets communities that have long contributed to the country’s strength and prosperity,” said North Miami Mayor Alex Desulme.
— Jacqueline Charles , Nora Gámez Torres and Syra Ortiz Blanes
Trump travel ban: What countries are affected?
Seven countries are under partial travel restrictions: Cuba, Venezuela, Burundi, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo and Turkmenistan. Nationals from these countries will not be allowed to enter the U.S. on tourist, business and student visas.
Nationals from 12 countries are barred from entering the U.S.: Haiti, Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea,Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
— Michelle Marchante
Does the travel ban affect current visas? Here’s what to know
A Department of State spokesperson said that while the agency will not revoke current visas, it’s up to the Department of Homeland Security to decide whether it will allow the entry of nationals with current visas.
Which nationals are banned from entering? What visas are exempted?
— Syra Ortiz Blanes and Verónica Egui Brito
This story was originally published June 9, 2025 at 9:50 AM.
