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The administration of US President Donald Trump is considering a major travel ban expansion by potentially blocking entry to citizens of 36 more countries, according to an internal State Department cable shared with Reuters.
Earlier this month, Trump signed a proclamation that banned individuals from 12 countries from entering the United States, which, according to President Trump, was needed to protect the US from ‘foreign terrorists’ and security threats.
The African, Asian, and Caribbean countries, included in the ban list, have been warned to meet US standards on security, identity documentation, and cooperation within 60 days or face a full or partial ban.
The list of nations includes 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.
These countries are accused of either weak passport security or non-cooperation in removing citizens ordered to leave the US.
READ: List of countries you can visit on schengen visa
The diplomatic cable was signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It explained that some of the countries on the list had poor government structures and could not issue reliable identity documents.
Other reasons mentioned include visa overstays, involvement in anti-American activity, or terrorist links. However, not all issues applied to every listed country.
The Trump administration has made immigration a top priority in its second term. This includes deporting hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador and stricter rules for international students in US universities.
This latest travel ban expansion is similar to Trump’s earlier controversial travel bans. The 2017 version mainly targeted Muslim-majority nations and was later approved by the US Supreme Court.
Some countries already under full or partial travel bans include Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen. Seven others, like Cuba and Venezuela, face limited restrictions.
A senior State Department official said the US is reviewing policies to make sure foreigners entering the country follow American laws. The visa system must protect the safety and rights of all US citizens.
