The Trump administration is reportedly considering a major expansion of its current travel restrictions, potentially adding 36 more countries to the list of nations facing entry bans to the United States.
This move follows an earlier proclamation signed by President Donald Trump that barred entry from 12 countries, citing concerns over national security and the threat of terrorism.
The expanded restrictions are part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which intensified during the early months of his second term. The administration has already deported hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador on suspicions of gang affiliations and has also targeted foreign student visa holders for enrollment denials and deportations.
An internal State Department cable, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and reviewed by Reuters, outlines numerous concerns regarding these additional countries. These include the inability or unwillingness of some governments to issue reliable identity documents, insufficient cooperation in accepting deported nationals, weak passport security, and issues related to visa overstays. Furthermore, some countries have citizens allegedly involved in terrorism or anti-American and antisemitic activities.
The cable emphasized that not every issue applies to all countries on the list but stressed the urgency for corrective actions within 60 days to avoid partial or complete entry bans.
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The nations potentially facing new restrictions include Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Syria, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and many others. This proposed expansion builds on earlier bans affecting countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. Additionally, partial restrictions are already in place for countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Laos.
The State Department stated that its visa policies are continually reviewed to safeguard national security and ensure foreign nationals comply with U.S. laws.
