Trump Expands U.S. Travel Ban To Seven More Countries

(MENAFN- The Arabian Post)

President Donald Trump's administration has broadened the scope of U. S. travel restrictions by adding seven countries and Palestinian Authority travel documents to a full-entry ban that will take effect on January 1, 2026, tightening immigration and border policies that have been a cornerstone of his presidency. The expanded restrictions come as part of a wider strategy the administration says is aimed at bolstering national security and addressing deficiencies in vetting and information-sharing with foreign governments.

The proclamation signed by Trump on Tuesday bars citizens of Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Syria from entering the United States under most visa categories, joining an existing list of 12 countries already subject to full bans. The administration also moved to prohibit entry for individuals carrying Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents, marking a significant escalation in restrictions affecting people from the West Bank and Gaza.

White House officials say the expanded travel ban responds to what they describe as persistent vulnerabilities in the screening, vetting and information-sharing systems of the newly added countries. The official fact sheet accompanying the proclamation cites widespread corruption, unreliable civil documents and high visa-overstay rates among the reasons for the updated restrictions. Critics argue that such characterisations oversimplify the complex challenges facing these states and unfairly penalise ordinary travellers.

The revised policy increases the list of countries under severe entry restrictions to a total of 19, a significant rise from the original 12 identified earlier this year. Included among the fully banned states prior to this move were Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Nationals of these countries, alongside those from the newly added seven, will face full suspension of both immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance unless they meet narrow exceptions defined in the proclamation.

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Partial restrictions will also be imposed on another 15 countries, where immigrant visas and certain temporary visitor and student categories will be limited. These additional countries range across Africa and the Caribbean, reflecting the administration's widening criteria for evaluating entry eligibility. The proclamation includes exemptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders in specific categories such as diplomats and elite athletes, and individuals whose travel is judged to serve U. S. national interests.

Reaction within the United States was sharply divided. Supporters of the expanded ban lauded the administration's focus on“common-sense restrictions” to protect U. S. citizens from potential threats. They point to ongoing concerns over terrorism, transnational crime and inadequate cooperation from certain governments as justification for the heightened scrutiny. Lawmakers aligned with the administration have said the changes are a necessary evolution of immigration policy in light of global instability and documented cases of individuals exploiting visa programmes.

Human rights organisations and immigrant advocacy groups condemned the move as discriminatory and counterproductive, arguing that it could worsen diplomatic relations and harm economic and cultural exchanges.“The expanded ban is not about national security but instead is another attempt to demonise people simply for where they are from,” said a spokesperson for one major refugee support organisation, speaking to the implications for families and individuals with ties to the affected regions.

The inclusion of Palestinian Authority travel documents has drawn particular attention from Middle East policy analysts. The Trump administration framed this decision within a broader critique of governance issues in the West Bank and Gaza, including what it characterised as compromised vetting capabilities following ongoing conflict. Opponents of the measure warned that it could further inflame tensions in an already volatile geopolitical landscape and impede humanitarian and academic travel.

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Global responses have varied. Some governments of affected countries have expressed concern over the potential impact on diaspora communities and economic links with the United States. Others have flagged the need for dialogue to address the underlying vetting and information-sharing concerns cited by U. S. officials. Diplomatic engagements over the coming months are expected to focus on whether any of the listed countries can meet conditions for improved cooperation with U. S. authorities.

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