In a significant clarification with broad implications, the U.S. State Department has confirmed exclusively to Africalix that the recently announced U.S. visa ban on Somalia fully applies to all Somali nationals — including citizens and passport holders from Somaliland.
The announcement puts an end to widespread speculation among Somalilanders, many of whom believed their de facto independence and relative stability would protect them from the harshest consequences of U.S. immigration restrictions.
“The June 4, 2025 presidential proclamation suspending entry to the United States and issuance of U.S. visas to foreign nationals from Somalia applies to all Somali nationals, including those from the Somaliland,” a State Department spokesperson told Africalix.
The policy, signed by President Donald J. Trump, suspends or limits entry into the U.S. for nationals from countries deemed to have inadequate security screening and information-sharing practices. The countries designated under the proclamation are:
Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Although the order includes provisions for categorical exceptions and case-by-case waivers, the State Department confirmed that holders of Somaliland-issued passports are included in the visa suspension due to the lack of formal U.S. recognition of Somaliland as an independent state.
Shock and Disappointment in Hargeisa
The clarification has been met with frustration in Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has since maintained a separate government, security forces, and its own passport system.
“We are being punished for something we have no control over. We built peace and institutions for over three decades, yet we are treated like a failed state,” said a lawyer in Hargeisa.
Many Somalilanders believed their distinct identity and track record of democratic governance would earn them different treatment. However, the U.S. continues to view Somalilanders as Somali nationals under international and immigration law.
Trump Administration’s Security-First Approach
This visa suspension is part of President Trump’s broader return to security-first immigration policies, a hallmark of his first term. The proclamation cites threats to U.S. national interests due to inadequate identity verification systems, visa fraud, and non-cooperation by some governments in accepting deported nationals.
While Somaliland is widely regarded as a peaceful and functional region, its documents—including passports—are not recognized as valid by the U.S. government, making Somaliland passport holders subject to the same restrictions as those from Somalia.
Africalix Will Continue to Monitor Impact
The decision is expected to significantly affect students, families, and professionals from Somaliland seeking to travel to or study in the United States. It also highlights the continued diplomatic challenges faced by unrecognized states seeking fair treatment on the world stage.
Africalix will continue following this story and reporting on developments from Somaliland and the wider Horn of Africa.
