U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to significantly broaden its travel restrictions by placing 36 additional countries under consideration for a full or partial travel ban, an internal State Department cable has revealed.
The countries include Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, and others across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. The list also names Caribbean nations such as Saint Lucia and Dominica. If these countries fail to address identified security and immigration concerns within 60 days, their citizens could be barred from entering the United States.
The internal cable, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and seen by Reuters, cited a variety of reasons for the heightened scrutiny. These include weak identity documentation systems, poor passport security, lack of cooperation in deporting their nationals, visa overstays, and links to terrorism or anti-American activity.
“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.
This development comes shortly after President Trump signed a new proclamation banning entry from 12 countries earlier this month, citing national security threats. The new directive forms part of a broader immigration crackdown in Trump’s second term, which has seen hundreds of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador over alleged gang affiliations and tighter rules on foreign students.
A senior State Department official, while declining to comment on specific cases, emphasized the administration’s commitment to protecting Americans.
“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” the official said.
The proposed expansion would build on existing restrictions placed on countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia, as well as partial bans on others including Venezuela, Cuba, and Burundi.
Critics argue the move echoes Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations, which was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 after multiple legal challenges.
If implemented, the latest measure would mark one of the largest expansions of U.S. travel restrictions in recent history, impacting millions of travelers and potentially straining diplomatic ties with affected nations.
Written By Rodney Mbua
