Trump Administration Considers Adding 36 Countries to Travel Ban

Key Takeaways

• Starting June 15, 2025, 36 countries may face new US travel bans unless security cooperation improves in 60 days.
• The ban currently impacts 12 countries fully and restricts 7 more on entry to the United States.
• Visa issuance could drop sharply, blocking over 34,000 immigrant and 125,000 non-immigrant visas annually.

The Trump Administration’s Expanding Travel Ban: What It Means for Immigrants, Families, and Global Relations

The Trump administration is moving forward with a plan that could reshape how people from dozens of countries travel to the United States 🇺🇸. As of June 15, 2025, officials are considering adding 36 more countries to the list of nations facing full or partial entry bans. This comes just days after a sweeping travel ban already blocked entry from 12 countries and placed heavy restrictions on travelers from 7 others. The new proposal, revealed in an internal State Department memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gives the targeted countries 60 days to address U.S. security and cooperation concerns or face new restrictions.

This article explains who is affected, why the policy is being expanded, how the process works, and what it means for immigrants, families, and international relations. We’ll also look at the history behind the travel ban, the arguments for and against it, and what could happen next.

Who Is Affected and What’s Changing?

The Trump administration’s latest move could impact millions of people around the world. The travel ban, first announced on June 4, 2025, already blocks entry from 12 countries and restricts travelers from 7 more. Now, 36 additional countries have been warned they could soon face similar bans or restrictions unless they meet certain U.S. requirements within 60 days.

Countries Currently Facing a Full Entry Ban:
– Afghanistan
– Myanmar (Burma)
– Chad
– Republic of the Congo
– Equatorial Guinea
– Eritrea
– Haiti
– Iran
– Libya
– Somalia
– Sudan
– Yemen

Countries with Partial Restrictions:
– Burundi
– Cuba
– Laos
– Sierra Leone
– Togo
– Turkmenistan
– Venezuela

Countries at Risk of New Restrictions (Proposed Expansion):
– Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, Zimbabwe

If these countries do not meet U.S. demands within 60 days, their citizens could face full or partial bans on entering the United States 🇺🇸.

Why Is the Ban Being Expanded?

According to the State Department memo, the Trump administration is worried about several issues in the targeted countries:

• Unreliable Identity Documents: Some countries cannot or will not issue secure passports or other identity papers. This makes it hard for U.S. officials to know who is entering the country.
• Poor Passport Security: Weak security features in passports can make it easier for people to use fake documents.
• Lack of Cooperation: Some governments do not help the United States 🇺🇸 return people who are ordered to leave after breaking immigration laws.
• High Visa Overstay Rates: Many people from these countries come to the United States 🇺🇸 on temporary visas but do not leave when their visas expire.
• Terrorism and Security Concerns: U.S. officials are also worried about terrorism, anti-Semitism, and anti-American actions by some nationals from these countries.

Not every country on the list has all these problems, but each has at least one area of concern.

How Does the Process Work?

The expansion of the travel ban follows a clear process:

1. Notification: The U.S. State Department formally notifies each country about the specific problems that need to be fixed.
2. 60-Day Window: Each country has 60 days to address the issues and show they are making progress.
3. Assessment: After 60 days, U.S. officials review what each country has done. If a country has not met the requirements, it could face a full or partial entry ban.
4. Implementation: The Department of Homeland Security and State Department publish the new restrictions, and they go into effect.

This process is designed to give countries a chance to avoid the ban by improving their security and cooperation with the United States 🇺🇸.

Who Makes the Decisions?

• President Trump: He has made national security a top priority and says the travel ban is needed to protect Americans from terrorism and other threats.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio: He signed the memo that lists the 36 countries at risk and explains the 60-day compliance window.
• U.S. State Department: This agency monitors whether countries are making progress and recommends further action if needed.
• Department of Homeland Security: Works with the State Department to enforce the bans and restrictions.

What Are the Practical Effects?

The travel ban has real consequences for people, families, and businesses:

• Visa Issuance: The American Immigration Council estimates that the current ban could block at least 34,000 immigrant visas and over 125,000 non-immigrant visas each year. If the expansion goes ahead, these numbers could rise sharply.
• Exemptions: Some people are not affected by the ban, including dual nationals (people with two passports), lawful permanent residents (green card holders), immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and certain other groups. Players in the 2026 World Cup are also exempt.
• Humanitarian Impact: Many people from banned countries are fleeing war, violence, or poverty. Human rights groups warn that the ban could separate families and make life even harder for those in need.
• Legal Challenges: The new ban is expected to face lawsuits. However, some experts believe the Trump administration has written the rules in a way that may make it harder for courts to block them.

Step-by-Step Guide for Affected Countries

If your country is on the proposed list, here’s what happens next:

• Step 1: Your government will receive a formal letter from the U.S. State Department explaining the problems.
• Step 2: Your country has 60 days to fix the issues or show a plan for improvement.
• Step 3: U.S. officials will check if your country has made enough progress.
• Step 4: If not, new travel restrictions will be announced and published on official government websites.

Arguments For and Against the Expansion

Supporters Say:
– The travel ban is needed to keep the United States 🇺🇸 safe from terrorism and crime.
– Stronger vetting helps stop people with fake documents or bad intentions from entering the country.
– Countries that do not cooperate with U.S. immigration laws should face consequences.

Critics Say:
– The ban unfairly targets people from poor or unstable countries, many of whom are not a threat.
– Families could be separated, and refugees could be left in danger.
– The policy may lead to discrimination and harm America’s image abroad.
– Legal experts warn that the ban could violate U.S. laws or international agreements.

Diplomatic Impact

Many of the countries on the list have already protested the proposed expansion. Some have asked for more information or warned that relations with the United States 🇺🇸 could suffer. There is also a risk that some countries could respond with their own restrictions on Americans.

Background: How Did We Get Here?

The travel ban has a long and controversial history:

• 2017: President Trump’s first travel ban targeted several Muslim-majority countries. The move sparked protests and lawsuits. The Supreme Court later upheld a revised version of the ban.
• 2025: The current expansion is the largest since the original ban. It covers more countries and uses a wider range of reasons, including document security and cooperation on deportations.

What Happens Next?

• Compliance Deadline: Countries have until mid-August 2025 to meet U.S. requirements or face new restrictions.
• Legal Action: Lawsuits are expected, with advocacy groups preparing to challenge the ban in federal courts.
• Congressional Oversight: Immigration and border security remain hot topics in Congress, with debates over how much power the president should have to set these policies.
• Possible Further Expansion: President Trump has said that more countries could be added if new threats appear or if current concerns are not fixed.

How Does This Affect Immigrants and Families?

For people from affected countries, the travel ban can mean:

• Family Separation: People may not be able to visit or reunite with family members in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Missed Opportunities: Students, workers, and tourists could lose the chance to study, work, or travel in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Uncertainty: Many people are left waiting for answers, not knowing if they will be able to travel or stay in the United States 🇺🇸.

What Should You Do If You’re Affected?

• Check Official Sources: For the latest updates, visit the U.S. Department of State website or contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country.
• Know Your Rights: If you are already in the United States 🇺🇸, learn about your legal options. Organizations like the American Immigration Council, ACLU, and National Immigration Law Center can help.
• Stay Informed: The situation is changing quickly. Watch for new announcements from the U.S. government and your home country’s officials.

Summary Table: Current and Proposed Travel Ban Countries

Expert Analysis and Multiple Perspectives

Analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that the Trump administration’s strategy is designed to pressure foreign governments to improve their security and cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities. Supporters believe this will make the United States 🇺🇸 safer, while critics argue it could harm innocent people and damage America’s reputation.

Legal experts point out that the new ban uses broader language and covers more reasons than earlier versions. This could make it harder for courts to block the policy, but lawsuits are still expected. Human rights groups warn that the ban could separate families, keep refugees in danger, and discriminate against people based on their nationality.

What Are the Next Steps for Stakeholders?

• For Immigrants and Families: Stay updated on your country’s status. If you have a pending visa or plan to travel, check with the U.S. embassy or consulate.
• For Employers and Schools: Review your workforce and student populations. Prepare for possible disruptions if employees or students are from affected countries.
• For Governments: Work with U.S. officials to address concerns. Submit plans for improving document security and cooperation on deportations.

Conclusion and Practical Guidance

The Trump administration’s proposed expansion of the travel ban is one of the most sweeping immigration actions in recent years. It affects millions of people, from families hoping to reunite to students and workers seeking new opportunities. The policy is controversial, with strong arguments on both sides and a high likelihood of legal and diplomatic battles ahead.

If you or your loved ones are affected, the most important steps are to stay informed, check official government resources, and seek legal help if needed. For the latest and most accurate information, always refer to the U.S. Department of State website.

As the situation develops, more updates will be provided. For now, those impacted should use the 60-day window to prepare, gather information, and explore all available options.

Learn Today

Travel Ban → A government restriction preventing citizens of specific countries from entering another country.
Entry Ban → Prohibition of individuals from certain countries to enter the United States either fully or partially.
Visa Overstay → When a traveler remains in a country beyond their visa’s allowed duration unauthorized.
Department of Homeland Security → U.S. agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and border protection policies.
State Department Memo → An internal document outlining policy decisions and notifying countries about US security concerns.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Trump administration plans to expand the travel ban by adding 36 countries, intensifying immigration controls. This move pressures governments to improve passports, security, and cooperation. Families and travelers face uncertainty, with humanitarian and legal challenges expected. The policy reflects ongoing national security priorities amid global controversy.
— By VisaVerge.com