Trump’s US travel ban 2.0: 36 more countries face potential entry restrictions; here’s the list

Donald Trump escalates immigration crackdown in second term

US issues warning to 36 nations over security concerns

Lack of cooperation in identity verification or the issuance of forged or insecure passports

Failure to facilitate deportation of nationals ordered removed from the US

High overstay rates of US visa holders

Historical ties to terrorism or antisemitic and anti-American activities

“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,”

US travel ban : List of 36 countries for possible entry restrictions

Africa & Middle East

Angola

Benin

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cote D’Ivoire

Democratic Republic of Congo

Djibouti

Egypt

Ethiopia

Gabon

The Gambia

Ghana

Liberia

Malawi

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Senegal

South Sudan

Sudan

Syria

Tanzania

Uganda

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Asia & Pacific

Bhutan

Cambodia

Kyrgyzstan

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Caribbean & Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Cabo Verde

Dominica

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Sao Tome and Principe

Countries already affected by travel restrictions

Afghanistan

Myanmar

Chad

Congo Republic

Equatorial Guinea

Eritrea

Haiti

Iran

Libya

Somalia

Sudan

Yemen

Burundi

Cuba

Laos

Sierra Leone

Togo

Turkmenistan

Venezuela

Legal, diplomatic, and global ramifications

The 60-day countdown: What happens next?

Issuing machine-readable and tamper-proof passports

Signing repatriation agreements to facilitate removal of deported citizens

Sharing biometric data with US law enforcement and immigration authorities

Demonstrating cooperation in counterterrorism intelligence

White House defends the move

“The Trump administration will always prioritize the safety of Americans. Nations unwilling or unable to meet global identity and security standards will face consequences. We seek cooperation, not confrontation—but compliance is non-negotiable.”

In a dramatic escalation of its immigration and national security agenda, the administration of the US President Donald Trump is weighing an expansion of travel restrictions that could affect citizens from 36 additional countries, according to an internal State Department cable obtained by Reuters. This move follows Trump’s recent executive proclamation earlier this month, which barred nationals from 12 countries from entering the United States. The proposed expansion would mark one of the most sweeping visa policy overhauls in recent US history and has triggered global diplomatic ripples.The internal cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines a stringent 60-day compliance window for the targeted nations to meet US security and identity-verification benchmarks. Failure to do so, the cable warns, could result in a partial or full suspension of entry into the United States for their citizens.President Trump’s return to the White House has been accompanied by an aggressive renewal of his controversial immigration policies. His second term began with deportations of Venezuelan nationals with suspected gang affiliations and efforts to limit enrollment of foreign students in US institutions.On the travel front, as per Reuters report, the administration’s recent ban on 12 countries was touted as necessary to protect the United States from “foreign terrorists and other national security threats.” These latest measures, however, raise the stakes further and reflect the administration’s push for more robust border control and internal vetting mechanisms.According to the cable, which was first reported by The Washington Post, the State Department has identified numerous security and administrative shortcomings in the 36 countries currently under review. The issues raised include:The memo emphasized that not all concerns apply to every country on the list, but each is being asked to take corrective action to avoid punitive measures.a senior State Department official said in background, declining to elaborate on individual countries.If the proposed expansion proceeds, the following countries may face either full or partial entry restrictions:The countries are being evaluated based on metrics such as passport security, deportation cooperation, and terrorism-related risks.The administration’s latest actions build upon existing travel restrictions. Earlier this month, a presidential proclamation barred entry from:In addition, partial restrictions are currently in place for:These restrictions vary from limitations on certain visa classes to outright bans on all forms of travel.The proposed expansion is expected to reignite legal and diplomatic tensions. During his first term, Trump’s 2017 travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries sparked widespread protests and lawsuits. Though challenged multiple times, the Supreme Court upheld a revised version in 2018. Critics say these bans disproportionately affect developing nations and vulnerable populations, and that national security justifications often lack transparency.Several nations already impacted by existing bans have expressed frustration, with diplomatic channels flooded with requests for clarification and protest notes. Human rights organizations have condemned the new move, calling it a form of “geopolitical discrimination.”As per the cable, nations identified must take corrective steps within 60 days to avoid travel restrictions. These steps could include:Failure to comply could result in entry bans for visa applicants, revocation of existing visas, or even restrictions on diplomatic staff and government officials.In a statement issued late Sunday, the White House defended the travel policy expansion:Despite mounting criticism, the administration remains firm in its stance, citing national security, sovereignty, and public order as non-negotiable pillars of US immigration policy.