The United States is weighing the imposition of new visa restrictions on citizens of 36 additional countries, in what would mark a major expansion of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration earlier this month, according to a State Department memo reviewed by The Washington Post.
Among the newly identified nations are 25 African countries, including key U.S. partners such as Egypt and Djibouti, as well as countries in the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on internal deliberations or communications, and the White House has not issued a response to requests for comment.
This move signals a continued escalation in the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration. The internal memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was dispatched on Saturday to U.S. diplomats working with the affected countries. It instructs the governments of these nations to meet new benchmarks and requirements within 60 days.
An initial action plan from each country is expected by 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, outlining how they intend to meet the newly imposed criteria.
Cited Reasons for Proposed Restrictions
- Lack of competent or cooperative central authorities capable of issuing reliable identity or civil documents
- Widespread government fraud
- High visa overstay rates among citizens from the listed countries
- Availability of citizenship-by-investment schemes without residency requirements
- Allegations of antisemitic and anti-American activities in the U.S. by nationals of certain countries
The memo also noted that if a country is willing to accept third-country nationals removed from the U.S. or enter a “safe third country” agreement, it may help mitigate other concerns.
Countries Under Review
Africa
Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia
Asia and Pacific
Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
Context and Background
This list marks a significant expansion of the travel restrictions laid out in the Presidential Proclamation of June 4, which fully barred entry from:
Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
That proclamation also partially restricted travel from:
Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
It remains unclear when or if the new proposed travel restrictions will take effect, pending each country’s response and further administrative decisions.
