MWE Correspondent
The United States is preparing to significantly expand its travel restrictions to include 36 additional countries, potentially barring thousands of foreign nationals from entering the country.
This follows a recent presidential proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, who cited concerns over national security and terrorism.
According to a leaked State Department cable, the administration has set a 60-day deadline for the targeted countries to improve security cooperation. Countries failing to meet these demands may face either partial or full entry bans.
The countries under review span across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Among them are Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Zambia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, and Dominica.
The US is reportedly concerned about weak passport security systems, visa overstays, and the unwillingness of some countries to accept deported citizens. Officials also cited the lack of reliable intelligence sharing and cooperation on counterterrorism efforts as major red flags.
Earlier this month, a similar travel ban targeting 12 other nations went into effect. The government has defended its decision by pointing to the need to protect against foreign terrorists and secure its borders.
For many citizens of the listed nations, the news has triggered anxiety and uncertainty. Students, workers, and families with ties to the US may find their plans upended if the ban is implemented.
“I’ve been planning to visit my brother in New Jersey for years,” said Jamila Ahmed, a businesswoman from Nairobi, Kenya. “We just started the visa process, and now everything is on hold.”
Rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have criticized the proposed expansion, saying it unfairly targets developing countries and could damage international relations.
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“The pattern here is disturbing. The majority of countries on the list are in Africa or the Global South,” said a policy analyst with Amnesty International. “This could easily be seen as discriminatory and arbitrary.”
Supporters of the policy argue the US has a sovereign right to control its borders and set conditions for entry. They point to past incidents involving poorly vetted travelers and failures in international documentation as justifications for stricter enforcement.
As the 60-day compliance period begins, many governments are scrambling to address the security gaps outlined in the US report. Some, like Ghana, have already begun reviewing their immigration systems, while others are seeking diplomatic engagement with Washington.
Experts believe the broader implications could include decreased tourism, disrupted academic exchange, and strained bilateral relations—particularly with African nations. The list includes Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Syria, and Senegal, among others.
The final decision is expected to be made in late August 2025, once the compliance review concludes. Until then, millions wait in suspense, unsure whether their links to America will soon be severed by policy.
