The Trump administration is contemplating a significant expansion of its travel ban policies, which could potentially affect up to 36 more nations in addition to the 19 already under travel restrictions.
According to a memo acquired by NPR, the State Department has identified these additional countries as having inadequate vetting and screening information, which raises concerns about the safety and security of the U.S. population.
Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the memo directs diplomats from numerous countries in Africa, Central Asia, the Caribbean, and several Pacific island nations to submit reports detailing how they plan to address U.S. concerns regarding their citizens.
The memo indicates that nations could face partial or full suspension of entry for their citizens if they fail to meet the new requirements set by the State Department. It highlights various issues such as the lack of reliable identity documents, poor criminal record-keeping, and allegations of widespread government fraud.
Additionally, some of the nations in question are either designated as state sponsors of terrorism or have citizens who have engaged in terrorism-related activities within the United States.
Concerns also extend to the high rates of visa overstays and incidents of antisemitic or Anti-American activities involving citizens of these countries.
If these nations are unable to address the outlined issues, they may be recommended for a travel ban by as soon as August.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, stated, “Limiting entry of individuals from those countries will help secure the American homeland and make our communities safer.”
The memo emphasizes the importance of foreign governments cooperating with the U.S. in deporting foreign nationals who may pose a national security threat.
Furthermore, it mentions that specific concerns may be alleviated if a country agrees to accept deportees who cannot be returned to their home countries.
McLaughlin added, “This is a necessary step to garner cooperation from foreign governments to accept deportation flights of their own citizens, strengthen national security, and help restore integrity to the immigration system.”
Despite the administration’s stated national security concerns, critics have condemned the travel bans as racially and religiously discriminatory, particularly for their focus on numerous African and Muslim-majority nations.
The countries currently facing potential travel bans as per the latest memo include: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The list of nations already subject to full bans includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Countries facing partial bans currently are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The administration continues to enforce its immigration policies with a focus on safeguarding national interests, while navigating the complexities of international relations and human rights considerations.
image source from：https://www.npr.org/2025/06/16/nx-s1-5435369/trump-administration-could-impose-a-travel-ban-on-dozens-more-countries
