Trump Administration Weighs Expanding U.S. Travel Ban to 36 More Countries

The Trump administration is weighing a major expansion of its travel restrictions, according to a State Department memorandum seen by the Washington Post and referenced in a Reuters report. The document says the White House is considering barring citizens of 36 additional nations from entering the United States, a move that would follow the 12-country ban President Donald Trump imposed earlier this month. If adopted, the measure would more than triple the size of the current list, bringing the total to 48 countries. The memo gives the targeted governments 60 days to meet U.S. security benchmarks—such as reliable identity-verification systems and improved passport controls—or face full or partial suspension of visas. Most of the countries under review are in Africa, though the draft list also includes several U.S. partners and allies, among them Egypt, Kyrgyzstan and Vanuatu. Nations cited across multiple media outlets include Angola, Benin, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Sudan, Syria, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Administration officials argue the expanded ban is necessary because the United States “doesn’t have enough confidence” in the affected governments’ ability to detect security threats. Civil-liberties groups, which have already challenged earlier restrictions, are likely to oppose any further expansion. The proposal remains under inter-agency review, and its scope could change before the president signs a final proclamation. The White House and State Department have declined to comment on the ongoing deliberations.