The Trump administration is weighing a major expansion of its travel restrictions, potentially barring entry to citizens from 36 additional countries, according to an internal State Department cable obtained by Reuters. This follows a recent proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, banning citizens from 12 nations to safeguard the U.S. from terrorism and national security threats.
This move is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown since beginning his second term. The campaign includes deporting hundreds of suspected gang members to El Salvador, limiting foreign student admissions, and stepping up removals of unauthorized immigrants.
A diplomatic cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlined concerns about certain countries' inability to issue reliable identity documents or cooperate in repatriating deportees. It also cited visa overstays, terrorism involvement, and antisemitic or anti-American activity by some nationals. However, not all concerns applied to every country listed.
The 36 countries under review include Angola, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Syria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, among others. These nations must address U.S. concerns within 60 days to avoid full or partial travel bans.
This proposed expansion builds on an earlier ban targeting countries like Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. Additionally, partial restrictions are already in place for nations including Venezuela, Cuba, Laos, and Sierra Leone.
A senior State Department official emphasized the ongoing reassessment of policies to protect national security and enforce U.S. immigration laws.
Trump’s original 2017 travel ban on several Muslim-majority nations, later upheld by the Supreme Court, faced significant backlash but set the precedent for these broader restrictions.
This latest policy could impact diplomatic relations and immigration trends, further solidifying Trump’s hardline stance on border control and national security.