Trump Administration Weighs Expanding Travel Ban to 36 More Countries
Trump Administration Weighs Expanding Travel Ban to 36 More Countries
The Trump administration is considering a dramatic expansion of its controversial travel ban, potentially adding 36 countries to the list of nations whose citizens would face restrictions entering the United States. This significant escalation, revealed in a State Department memo obtained by the Washington Post, would drastically reshape US immigration policy.
The memo, reportedly signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, names Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe as countries of concern.
The administration cites concerns about inadequate identity document verification, high rates of visa overstays, and involvement in terrorism or anti-American activities as justifications for the potential ban. The memo demands “corrective action” from these countries within 60 days, outlining specific benchmarks they must meet to avoid restrictions. Failure to comply could result in full or partial entry suspensions.
This proposed expansion marks a significant return to a key policy of the Trump presidency. His previous attempts at implementing a travel ban faced legal challenges, culminating in a Supreme Court ruling upholding a revised version in 2018. The Biden administration subsequently rescinded the ban. However, Trump’s recent campaign rhetoric strongly suggests a renewed commitment to this restrictive immigration policy, even hinting at further expansions beyond the 36 countries currently under consideration.
The 8 a.m. Wednesday deadline for the 36 countries to respond with action plans leaves the timeline for implementation uncertain. The potential impact on international relations and the flow of people into the United States remains to be seen.
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