Summary (tl;dr)

New U.S. travel rules for Green Card holders and other non-citizens have taken effect today, including mandatory biometric checks at all entry and exit points, alongside an expanded travel ban impacting 39 countries and the suspension of the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program.

Essential Background

The U.S. government has historically implemented various immigration policies to control borders and manage legal entry. Prior to the latest changes, the Trump administration had already established a travel ban in June 2025, affecting 19 countries with full or partial restrictions on visa categories. Green Card holders typically enjoyed more flexibility in travel; however, evolving national security concerns and a desire to enhance border control have prompted stricter measures and increased scrutiny for all non-citizens.

The Full Story

Effective today, December 26, 2025, all non-U.S. citizens, including Green Card holders, are now required to undergo mandatory facial recognition and photography at every U.S. port of entry and exit, encompassing airports, seaports, and land crossings. This new rule also applies to children under 14 and adults over 79, who were previously exempt from such biometric screenings.

Adding to these changes, President Trump issued a new proclamation on December 16, 2025, significantly expanding the existing travel ban to include 39 countries, up from the previous 19. These expanded restrictions, which take effect on January 1, 2026, impose full or partial bans on immigrant and non-immigrant visas for nationals of the listed countries, with some previous exemptions for immediate family and certain visa types now eliminated. While lawful permanent residents are generally exempt from the direct travel ban, they can expect enhanced screening upon re-entry.

Furthermore, the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the Green Card Lottery, has been suspended following recent mass shootings at Brown University and MIT. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has halted the processing of pending applications under this program and initiated a comprehensive review of its policies and vetting procedures.

Why It Matters

These new rules significantly impact international travel for millions of Green Card holders and prospective immigrants, leading to longer wait times, increased scrutiny, and potential complications for those from affected countries. The mandatory biometric collection at all borders reflects a tightening of national security measures and aims to enhance oversight of fraudulent travel documents. The expanded travel ban and suspension of the Diversity Visa Program signal a broader shift towards more restrictive immigration policies, potentially affecting family reunifications, employment-based immigration, and the overall demographic composition of new immigrants to the U.S.. Many people are concerned about the implications for their travel plans, immigration status, and the ability of family members to join them in the United States.

Geographic Location

• United States (implementation of new biometric control at all ports of entry and exit; expansion of travel ban and suspension of Diversity Visa Program)
• Washington, D.C., District of Columbia, United States (Trump administration announcements; Department of Homeland Security's new travel rule filing in the Federal Register)
• Providence, Providence County, Rhode Island, United States (location of a mass shooting at Brown University, cited as a reason for suspending the Diversity Visa Program)
• Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States (location of a professor's murder at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also cited as a reason for suspending the Diversity Visa Program)