WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Tuesday that it is expanding U.S. travel restrictions to 20 additional countries and to travelers using documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, significantly broadening limits first introduced earlier this year.
The move more than doubles the number of countries affected by the administration’s travel and immigration restrictions. Five additional countries have been added to the list facing a full ban on entry to the United States, while 15 others are now subject to partial restrictions.
The administration said the decision is part of ongoing efforts to tighten U.S. entry standards for both travel and immigration. Critics argue the measures unfairly restrict people based on nationality. Administration officials had previously indicated further action could follow the arrest of an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members over the Thanksgiving weekend.
People who already hold valid U.S. visas, lawful permanent residents, and individuals traveling under certain visa categories — including diplomats and athletes — are exempt from the restrictions. Exemptions may also apply if entry is deemed to be in the U.S. national interest. The administration did not immediately specify when the new restrictions will take effect.
Countries Newly Subject to Full Travel Bans
The administration added Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria to the list of countries whose citizens are barred from entering the United States. Travel using documents issued by the Palestinian Authority is also now fully restricted. South Sudan had already been subject to significant limitations under earlier rules.
Countries Facing Partial Restrictions
The administration also imposed partial restrictions on travelers from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The restrictions apply to people seeking to enter the U.S. either as visitors or immigrants.
Background on Earlier Restrictions
In June, President Donald Trump announced a travel ban affecting citizens of 12 countries, while imposing heightened restrictions on travelers from seven others, reviving a signature policy from his first term. Those initially banned included Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions were applied to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
On Tuesday, the administration also said it was tightening restrictions on Laos and Sierra Leone, while easing some limits on Turkmenistan, citing improvements in that country’s screening processes. All other provisions of the June announcement remain in place.
Administration’s Rationale and Reaction
The Trump administration said many of the affected countries have issues such as corruption, unreliable civil documentation, high visa overstay rates, or refusal to accept deported nationals, which officials say complicates screening and vetting. It also cited immigration enforcement, foreign policy, and national security concerns.
Regarding the Palestinian territories, the administration said U.S.-designated terrorist groups operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and have killed American citizens. It also cited the ongoing conflict in the region as having compromised vetting and screening capabilities.
The expansion is expected to draw strong opposition from critics. Laurie Ball Cooper, vice-president of U.S. legal programs at the International Refugee Assistance Project, said the policy is not about security but unfairly targets people based on their country of origin.
The Afghan man accused in the National Guard shooting has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges. Following that incident, the administration announced additional immigration measures, including tighter rules for people from previously restricted countries who are already in the United States.