The Trump administration is considering imposing new travel restrictions on citizens from 43 countries, according to an internal memo obtained by Reuters. The proposal, which has yet to receive final approval, outlines varying levels of visa suspensions based on security concerns.
Breakdown of the Proposed Restrictions
The memo categorizes the affected countries into three groups:
- Full Visa Suspension – A total ban on visa issuance for citizens of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea.
- Partial Visa Suspension – Five countries—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—would face restrictions affecting tourist, student, and certain immigrant visas.
- Conditional Suspension – 26 countries, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, could face partial visa suspensions if their governments fail to address security concerns within 60 days.
The final decision will require approval from top administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the list of affected countries could still change.
Policy Background & Security Measures
This proposal follows an executive order issued on January 20, mandating stricter security vetting for foreign nationals seeking entry into the U.S. The order aims to identify and mitigate national security threats by suspending visas from countries with inadequate screening processes.
During Trump’s first term in 2017, a similar travel ban—often referred to as the “Muslim Ban”—targeted several Muslim-majority countries, sparking widespread controversy. Trump had previously called for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the U.S.” following a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.
In line with Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, this proposed expansion aligns with his October 2023 pledge to impose travel restrictions on individuals from regions such as Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
Broader Immigration Crackdown & Deportations
The potential travel ban coincides with efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deport undocumented immigrants linked to organized crime and terrorism. This includes individuals affiliated with Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, El Salvador’s MS-13, and the Mexican-American 18th Street gang.
Additionally, the Trump administration is targeting foreign-born university students involved in protests and activism. Among those affected:
- Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate who led protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, now faces deportation.
- Leqaa Kordia, another protester, was recently arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after overstaying a terminated visa.
- Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student at Columbia, had her visa revoked for alleged support of Hamas and chose to “self-deport.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended these actions, stating:
“It’s a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked.”
What’s Next?
If implemented, this expanded travel ban would mark one of the most sweeping immigration restrictions in U.S. history. However, legal challenges and political opposition are expected, much like previous iterations of the policy. The administration has yet to confirm when a final decision will be made.
