Trump Administration Eyes Major Expansion of Travel Ban to 36 New Countries

 

The Trump administration is considering a dramatic expansion of its travel ban policy, with internal documents revealing that up to 36 additional countries may face new entry restrictions to the United States. According to a diplomatic cable obtained by Reuters, the State Department has identified a number of nations that could be subject to full or partial suspension of entry if they fail to meet certain security and cooperation benchmarks within 60 days.

 

This development follows President Donald Trump's recent proclamation earlier this month that barred entry to citizens from 12 countries, a move the administration argued was essential to protecting the U.S. from "foreign terrorists" and other perceived national security threats. The expansion is part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated at the start of Trump’s second term, which has also included the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador due to suspected gang affiliations, and restrictions on some foreign students seeking to study in the United States.

 

The cable, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, laid out multiple concerns about the countries now under review. "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 cable stated. The Washington Post first reported on its contents.

 

Key issues highlighted in the cable include unreliable identity documentation due to weak or uncooperative governments, questionable security standards for passports, failure to repatriate nationals ordered to be removed from the U.S., visa overstays, and in some cases, alleged involvement of nationals in terrorism, antisemitic acts, or anti-American activity. The cable emphasized that not all concerns applied to every country on the list.

 

A senior State Department official declined to comment directly on the internal deliberations but stressed the government’s commitment to national security. "We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws," the official said. "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."

 

The list of countries at risk of new restrictions includes a diverse group spanning Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific: 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.

 

This would represent a significant broadening of the current travel restrictions. The existing ban, implemented earlier this month, applies to 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, entry from seven other nations—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—has already been partially restricted.

 

Trump’s first term saw a controversial and highly publicized travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations. That policy faced legal challenges before ultimately being upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. The current proposal, if enacted, would mark one of the largest expansions of entry restrictions in recent U.S. history, reinforcing the administration’s continued focus on immigration and border security.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Independent  2025-06-17

 

 

Translation major distraction nessary time to be prepared for something big and I’m sure it will be bad knowing trump.

no iran? iraq?

Wonder what all those countries have in common ?

11 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

Wonder what all those countries have in common ?

 

A very short list of foreigners seeking residency permits. 

40 minutes ago, Jim Blue said:

Wonder what all those countries have in common ?

On a paint color chart, the residents skin would not be considered a neutral hue.

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Key issues highlighted in the cable include unreliable identity documentation due to weak or uncooperative governments, questionable security standards for passports, failure to repatriate nationals ordered to be removed from the U.S., visa overstays, and in some cases, alleged involvement of nationals in terrorism, antisemitic acts, or anti-American activity.

The America haters here dont like the above. They prefer our country to be overrun by foreign terrorists and criminals.

31 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

On a paint color chart, the residents skin would not be considered a neutral hue.

Fabulous, now we have blatant and public hater of Native Americans projecting his hate and racism on a quite justifiable government decision.

1 hour ago, Jim Blue said:

Wonder what all those countries have in common ?

Yes I wonder? I know Barbuda and Antigua, St Kitts and Nevis well and can't imagine why they are on the list, Bhutan seems pretty harmless.

36 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

The America haters here dont like the above. They prefer our country to be overrun by foreign terrorists and criminals.

You are a bit off if someone disagrees with your views they’re haters anti American ect grow up.it’s obvious what this distraction is .trump getting us into another war now he’s running to the bunker.I’d also venture to guess some stuff on trade not a good sign.

42 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

The America haters here dont like the above. They prefer our country to be overrun by foreign terrorists and criminals.

Bhutan is particularly notorious for those!

5 minutes ago, JAG said:

Bhutan is particularly notorious for those!

You are privy to Intelligence reports? Tell us then, you clearly know

8 minutes ago, Tug said:

You are a bit off if someone disagrees with your views they’re haters anti American ect grow up.it’s obvious what this distraction is .trump getting us into another war now he’s running to the bunker.I’d also venture to guess some stuff on trade not a good sign.

No, folks can disagree without being America haters. But you, regardless, are a notorious America hater.

Cambodia is on the list.

 

All the coutries that have a travel ban should do the same and don't let

Americans in.

52 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

The America haters here dont like the above. They prefer our country to be overrun by foreign terrorists and criminals.

You are free to ban anyone you want. 

 

Just surprised Saudi Arabia is not on the list. After all 9/11 was primarily Saudis

2 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

No, folks can disagree without being America haters. But you, regardless, are a notorious America hater.

Again how so? If it’s because I despise trump that doesn’t make me a hater quite the contrary 

1 minute ago, FlorC said:

Cambodia is on the list.

 

All the coutries that have a travel ban should do the same and don't let

Americans in.

Funny @Yagoda

Just now, Hummin said:

You are free to ban anyone you want. 

 

Just surprised Saudi Arabia is not on the list. After all 9/11 was primarily Saudis

They give trump and family money simple as that 

8 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

You are privy to Intelligence reports? Tell us then, you clearly know

I doubt whether there is any intelligence, gosh, expanding on that comment took some resisting!

 

Bhutan entrants to the US probably numbers in the dozens annually. It is on a par with putting tariffs on islands solely inhabited by penguins!

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Funny @Yagoda

They would run you off or perhaps prison if you’re doing something they don’t like….

2 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Wonder what all those countries have in common ?

Failure to meet security requirements, according to the article. 

22 minutes ago, JAG said:

I doubt whether there is any intelligence, gosh, expanding on that comment took some resisting!

 

Bhutan entrants to the US probably numbers in the dozens annually. It is on a par with putting tariffs on islands solely inhabited by penguins!

 

 

Distraction at its best when nothing seems to go your way, do something that makes the headines

31 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Cambodia is on the list.

 

All the coutries that have a travel ban should do the same and don't let

Americans in.

Im sure they all would be happy to lose American dollars.

Does Trump even know where these countries are? I doubt he can't even pronounce their names correctly. 

30 minutes ago, JAG said:

Bhutan entrants to the US probably numbers in the dozens annually.

Have some numbers for us?

1 minute ago, Eric Loh said:

Does Trump even know where these countries are? I doubt he can't even pronounce their names correctly. 

Digging into the kiddy sandbox again are you?

33 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Funny @Yagoda

Why is it funny? A stalking flaming troll you are. Thats funny

Just now, Yagoda said:

Why is it funny? A stalking flaming troll you are. Thats funny

 

There is trolls on this forum, and it aint me. 

 

It is interesting Cambodia is on the list? What is your comment on the matter, not focusing on me. Im not the American in Cambodia, you are. 

5 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Im sure they all would be happy to lose American dollars.

Isn't Cambodia more and more in bed with the Chinese ?

 

Why Bhutan? Why not Nepal?