Former President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a significant expansion of his travel ban policy, potentially adding 36 more countries to the list of nations facing full or partial entry restrictions to the United States.
According to a classified State Department cable obtained by Reuters, the proposed expansion follows a recent proclamation signed by Trump that already bans travelers from 12 countries and partially restricts entry from seven others.
The Trump administration justifies the move as a national security measure, citing risks related to terrorism, document fraud, and countries’ failure to cooperate on deportations.
“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a recent video posted to X (formerly Twitter), referencing the dangers of admitting individuals from nations with poor vetting systems and known terror threats.
The initial ban, which went into effect on June 9, 2025, impacts travelers from countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. Others, like Cuba, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, now face partial restrictions.
The new list under consideration includes countries such as Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Syria. These nations have been given 60 days to address U.S. concerns, including high visa overstay rates and poor passport verification processes, or face full or partial suspension of entry.
The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warns: “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 within 60 days.”
Egypt, not currently on the banned list, came under scrutiny following the recent arrest of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national accused of attacking a pro-Israel protest in Colorado while on an expired visa.
A senior State Department official, speaking anonymously, said the administration is “constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws.”
This proposed expansion is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown during his second term, which also includes tougher student visa rules and ramped-up deportations of suspected gang members.
The African Union has called for constructive dialogue, urging the U.S. to reconsider what it describes as a harmful approach. Officials from Venezuela and Somalia have also condemned the proposed bans as discriminatory and damaging.
Trump, who famously enacted a travel ban during his first term that was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, made it clear that the list of banned countries may continue to grow.
“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet those who seek to enter the United States,” he said.
