Trump Administration May Possibly Add 36 Countries To Latest Travel Ban List
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Trump Administration May Possibly Add 36 Countries To Latest Travel Ban List
The Trump administration may subject 36 countries to full or partial travel bans, which would extend the list of 19 countries it restricted earlier this month. The latest potential extension of Trump’s second-term travel ban targets Caribbean and African countries intensely, although a few Central Asian and Pacific Island nations also face the same risk. The Washington Post relayed a list of the allegedly proposed 36 countries. The countries on the list are: Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica.
The countries on the list are:
Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Ethiopia; Egypt; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Ivory Coast; 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.
According to the memo, some of the countries had “no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents.” Meanwhile, the document claimed that others were listed because they had engaged in “widespread government fraud” or were nationals who had abused the United States’ visa system. The memo also called out people from the countries listed engaging in “antisemitic and anti-American activity in the United States,” among other qualms.
What Else Should I Know About The Possible Travel Ban Extension?
According to the Washington Post, the memo was sent to U.S. diplomats working with the 36 countries listed. The document, reportedly approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlined the State Department’s terms for the countries to meet to be in good standing with the U.S.
The countries listed have reportedly been given 60 days to meet the State Department’s demands. Moreover, they were allegedly given till 8 a.m. June 18 to provide an initial plan of how they’ll meet the State Department’s needs.
The memo didn’t detail whether the travel restrictions would be the same as those wholly or partially placed on 19 countries earlier this month. The travel ban that took effect in early June entirely banned nationals of 12 countries from entering the U.S. Additionally, partial travel bans were imposed on an additional seven countries, restricting the entry of their nationals into the U.S. The travel bans continue the Trump administration’s harsh crackdown on immigrants, which has included rampant Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the nation.
Trump administration considers adding 36 countries to travel ban list
The US could add 36 more countries to its travel ban list if security protocols are not met within two months. A variety of reasons for the “concern” were given, ranging from accusations of involvement in acts of terror against the US to untrustworthy or incompetent authorities responsible for issuing identity documents or passports in the named countries. Citizens of the following primarily African nations would potentially be prevented from entering the US: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica.
Under the measures, citizens of the following primarily African nations would potentially be prevented from entering the US: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote 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.
They could join people from the 12 countries (Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen) subject to a full travel ban since 9 June 2025, or the seven nations (Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela) which are partially restricted.
“Questionable security”
“The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days,” the internal message said. A variety of reasons for the “concern” were given, ranging from accusations of involvement in acts of terror against the US to untrustworthy or incompetent authorities responsible for issuing identity documents or passports in the named countries, resulting in “questionable security”.
In addition, the memo blamed some nationals from those countries who were guilty of overstaying their visas, as well as the relevant agencies failing to remove designated citizens or help the US to deport them.
“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” a senior State Department official commented, adding: “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.”
Legal challenges and protests
President Donald Trump made border policies and travel bans, particularly targeting Muslim-majority states, a feature of his first term and has continued in the same vein since day one of his second.
The recent ban on people from Afghanistan raised concern for the safety and well-being of people claiming asylum after helping the US in its so-called “war on terror” in the region. Immigration or “ICE” teams have been reported as rounding up people of colour from streets, businesses and university campuses, ahead of deportation – actions which have been challenged in the courts and in recent protests in California and elsewhere.
Source: https://travelnoire.com/trump-latest-travel-ban-countries