Vinay Kumar
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.
Donald Trump escalates immigration crackdown in second term
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.
US issues warning to 36 nations over security concerns
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:
- 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
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.“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” a senior State Department official said in background, declining to elaborate on individual countries.
US travel ban : List of 36 countries for possible entry restrictions
If the proposed expansion proceeds, the following countries may face either full or partial 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
The countries are being evaluated based on metrics such as passport security, deportation cooperation, and terrorism-related risks.
Countries already affected by travel restrictions
The administration’s latest actions build upon existing travel restrictions. Earlier this month, a presidential proclamation barred entry from:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Congo Republic
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
In addition, partial restrictions are currently in place for:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
These restrictions vary from limitations on certain visa classes to outright bans on all forms of travel.
Legal, diplomatic, and global ramifications
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.”
The 60-day countdown: What happens next?
As per the cable, nations identified must take corrective steps within 60 days to avoid travel restrictions. These steps could include:
- 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
Failure to comply could result in entry bans for visa applicants, revocation of existing visas, or even restrictions on diplomatic staff and government officials.
White House defends the move
In a statement issued late Sunday, the White House defended the travel policy expansion:“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.”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.
