The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a substantial expansion of its travel restrictions, potentially banning entry to citizens of 36 more countries, according to an internal State Department cable obtained by Reuters.
Earlier this month, President Trump signed a proclamation barring entry to citizens from 12 countries, citing threats to national security and the need to guard against foreign terrorism. The latest directive would mark a significant escalation in the administration’s broader immigration crackdown during Trump’s second term.
According to the diplomatic cable—signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio—the State Department has identified 36 countries deemed to be of “concern.” These nations could face full or partial travel suspensions if they fail to meet certain security and compliance benchmarks within a 60-day period.
The memo outlined key issues raised by U.S. authorities, including governments’ failure to produce reliable identity documents, questionable passport security, limited cooperation in repatriating deported nationals, and excessive visa overstays. Additionally, the cable cited concerns over citizens from certain countries engaging in terrorism or participating in antisemitic or anti-American activities.
It was noted, however, that not all of these concerns applied to every country listed.
“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” a senior State Department official stated, without confirming specific deliberations. “The Department of State remains committed to upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”
The 36 countries identified for potential restrictions include:
Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte 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, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
This proposed expansion follows the recent imposition of restrictions on 12 other nations—Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen—under an earlier executive order.
In addition, partial restrictions have already been applied to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The latest move would represent one of the most sweeping changes to U.S. visa and travel policy in recent years. It also mirrors President Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries, a policy that was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 after multiple revisions.
