Trump Travel Ban: 36 Countries Considered
The Trump administration is poised to possibly broaden travel restrictions,a move that could impact citizens from 36 additional countries.This travel ban expansion, driven by security apprehensions and concerns about documentation, is a notable development. The State Department has flagged issues regarding identity document reliability. The 36 nations now have a 60-day window to address the outlined concerns or face partial or full entry suspensions.In related news, news Directory 3 reports on the existing ban affecting 12 nations. This shift in immigration policy emphasizes the administration’s focus on border security. Discover what’s next as these countries respond.
Trump Administration Considers Expanding Travel Ban to 36 More Nations
Updated June 16, 2025
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is weighing a significant expansion of its existing travel restrictions, potentially adding 36 countries to the list of nations whose citizens are banned from entering the United States. This move, detailed in an internal State Department cable, stems from concerns over national security and the reliability of identity documents.
People protest against President Trump’s travel ban at Los angeles International Airport on June 9. (Photo: Reuters)
Earlier this month, President Trump signed a proclamation barring entry to citizens from 12 countries, citing the need to protect the U.S. from foreign terrorists and other national security threats. The potential expansion of the travel restrictions underscores the administration’s focus on immigration and border security.
The State Department cable, signed by Secretary of State marco Rubio, outlined a dozen concerns regarding the 36 countries under consideration.These include a lack of competent or cooperative governance in producing reliable identity documents and questionable passport security.
The cable indicates that these 36 countries have 60 days to address the outlined concerns or face a full or partial suspension of entry into the U.S. The potential travel restrictions would significantly broaden the scope of the existing ban.
Other concerns noted in the cable include a lack of cooperation in facilitating the removal of nationals ordered to be deported from the U.S., high rates of visa overstays, and involvement of the countries’ nationals in terrorism or anti-American activities.
A senior State Department official said the agency is committed to protecting the nation by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through its visa process. The official declined to comment on specific internal deliberations.
The countries that could face a full or partial ban include Angola,Antigua and Barbuda,Benin,Bhutan,Burkina Faso,Cabo Verde,Cambodia,Cameroon,Cote D’Ivoire,Democratic Republic of Congo,Djibouti,Dominica,Egypt,Ethiopia,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.
The current travel ban, implemented earlier this month, affects Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. entry is partially restricted for burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
What’s next
The next 60 days will be critical as the 36 countries work to address the concerns raised by the State Department. The outcome will determine whether the Trump administration implements a significant expansion of its travel ban, further shaping its immigration policy.