In a sweeping escalation of U.S. immigration controls, President Donald Trump’s administration is reportedly considering extending travel ban to citizens of 36 additional countries—25 of them in Africa.
- The Trump administration is considering expanding travel bans to citizens from 36 additional countries, predominantly in Africa.
- The restrictions are proposed due to concerns over visa overstay rates and national security vetting deficiencies.
- The African Union and individual governments are expected to respond if the measures are implemented.
The move, revealed in a leaked State Department memo reviewed by The Washington Post, would represent one of the most significant expansions of the controversial travel ban policy first introduced in 2017, potentially adding several African nations to the list.
According to the memo, the proposed restrictions are tied to concerns over visa overstay rates and deficiencies in national security vetting systems.
If the recommendations proceed, these countries could face tougher visa requirements or outright bans on specific categories of travel to the United States, pending further internal assessments.
The Washington Post noted that a State Department spokesperson declined to comment on internal deliberations or communications. The White House also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and dated Saturday, was reportedly sent to U.S. diplomats who work with the governments of the affected nations.
It gives those governments 60 days to meet new security and information-sharing benchmarks set by the State Department. Additionally, it instructs them to submit an initial action plan, detailing steps they will take to address U.S. concerns.
If enacted, the expanded travel restrictions could significantly affect diplomatic relations, trade, education exchanges, and diaspora mobility between the U.S. and much of the African continent.
Affected countries
The countries under scrutiny span several continents but are overwhelmingly African. According to the memo, the nations being considered include: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Others listed are Antigua and Barbuda, Bhutan, Cambodia, Dominica, Kyrgyzstan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The proposed expansion is reportedly based on assessments of visa overstay rates, security cooperation, and information-sharing capabilities with U.S. authorities
Trump’s strict immigration policy
The proposed expansion comes amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies under President Trump’s second term, with officials citing security gaps and poor data sharing by foreign governments.
Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban targeting 12 countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East.
Seven African countries were affected in the initial travel ban.
Critics argue the move is discriminatory, especially as it targets numerous African nations with strong diplomatic and economic ties to Washington.
If enacted, the restrictions could disrupt academic exchanges, family reunifications, and business travel. Nigeria and Ghana which are key U.S. partners, have previously opposed similar measures, emphasizing that cooperative mechanisms are already in place to address American concerns.
While the final list of countries remains unconfirmed, several African governments are seeking clarification, and the African Union is expected to respond formally if the ban proceeds.
