The Trump administration is weighing a major expansion of its travel ban by adding 36 more countries to the list of nations facing entry restrictions into the United States. This internal proposal, revealed through a State Department cable obtained by Reuters, outlines growing concerns over security, cooperation, and immigration enforcement.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that barred citizens from 12 countries from entering the U.S., citing national security and terrorism threats. Now, the administration is signaling a broader move to further tighten immigration control during Trump’s second term.
The cable, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, explains that the 36 countries must meet specific benchmarks within 60 days or face full or partial bans. These benchmarks involve verifying the integrity of identity documents, addressing passport security flaws, and cooperating with U.S. deportation processes. Countries that fail to produce valid documentation or refuse to take back nationals facing removal from the U.S. are considered high-risk.
Additional red flags include the overstay of visas by nationals of these countries, links to terrorism, and documented antisemitic or anti-American activity. However, the State Department clarified that not every concern applies to every country under review.
A senior State Department official emphasized the government’s ongoing commitment to public safety. “We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” the official said. “The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”
If implemented, the expanded list would affect a wide range of nations, including Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. Other countries mentioned include Angola, Egypt, Liberia, South Sudan, and Zambia, among others.
This proposed move would significantly expand the reach of the existing ban, which already restricts entry from Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Seven other countries, including Cuba, Burundi, and Venezuela, currently face partial restrictions on entry.
Trump’s original travel ban, first introduced in 2017 targeting predominantly Muslim nations, sparked global criticism but was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. This latest proposal suggests the administration is determined to keep immigration and national security at the center of its policy agenda.
By Lucky Anyanje