The United States is considering imposing travel bans on an additional three dozen countries as former President Donald Trump intensifies his immigration crackdown under new policies.
According to international media reports citing a leaked US State Department cable, the Trump administration is planning to expand travel restrictions by adding citizens from 36 more nations.
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This potential move follows Trump’s recent proclamation banning entry from 12 countries, justified as a measure to bolster national security and curb terrorism. The classified document highlights several countries deemed high-risk due to weak identity verification, poor cooperation in deportations, and high visa overstay rates.
Nations reportedly under review include Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Syria, Uganda, Cambodia, and Saint Lucia, alongside the 12 already under full bans, such as Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Yemen. Additionally, countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan currently face partial restrictions.
While the State Department has not confirmed the leaked communication, a senior official said the US continuously reviews immigration policies to protect national security and ensure compliance with immigration laws.
Critics of the proposed expansion warn it could damage diplomatic ties and disproportionately impact developing nations. Supporters, however, argue that stronger restrictions are necessary for national security.
Trump first introduced the travel ban in 2017, targeting several Muslim-majority countries—a controversial decision upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018. As his administration’s second-term immigration agenda moves forward, the new restrictions could have significant global implications.
