President Donald Trump's recent travel ban affecting citizens from 12 primarily African and Middle Eastern countries went into effect on Monday, adding to the ongoing tensions surrounding his immigration policies.

The new order, signed by Trump last week, targets individuals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It also imposes stricter restrictions on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and lack a valid visa.

While previously issued visas are not revoked for individuals from the affected countries, new visa applications that do not meet specific exemption criteria will be rejected starting Monday. Travelers with existing visas should still be able to enter the U.S. despite the ban.

In contrast to the chaos caused by a previous executive order targeting mainly Muslim countries during Trump's first term, the implementation of the new ban did not immediately disrupt operations at airports like Los Angeles International Airport. Passengers at Miami International Airport also experienced smooth processing, with no major delays reported.

Some travelers, like Cuban American Magda Moreno, expressed concerns about the impact of the ban on reuniting with family members. Haitian-American Elvanise Louis-Juste highlighted the challenges faced by those seeking refuge in the U.S. due to violence and unrest in their home countries.

Experts suggest that the latest ban is more meticulously crafted to withstand legal challenges, focusing on the visa application process. Trump justified the restrictions by citing deficiencies in screening processes and high overstay rates among citizens from the affected countries.

The president linked the ban to a recent terrorist incident in Boulder, Colorado, involving a visa overstay, although the perpetrator was not from any of the banned nations. Critics, including refugee aid organizations, condemned the policy as divisive and detrimental to vulnerable communities.

Despite exceptions for certain individuals, such as Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas, the ban has drawn criticism for its inclusion of Afghanistan, a significant source of resettled refugees in recent years.

Trump's suspension of refugee resettlement upon taking office further complicates the situation, particularly for those who have worked closely with the U.S. government in conflict zones like Afghanistan.