The latest expansion represents a rapid escalation of the policy, which was reinstated in June 2025 with 19 countries. With the new proclamation, the share of the world’s population living in countries facing full or partial US travel restrictions has climbed to nearly five percent, according to estimates based on current population data.
The five newly added countries facing a total entry ban are Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. Nationals from these countries are now prohibited from entering the United States under any visa category. They join an existing list of 12 nations already under full restrictions, including Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, and Haiti, among others.
In a notable and highly sensitive development, the proclamation also imposes a complete travel ban on individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. This marks a significant policy shift with potential diplomatic and humanitarian implications, particularly for Palestinians seeking entry to the United States for education, family reunification, or medical reasons.
Beyond the full bans, the administration has also expanded the list of countries subject to partial travel restrictions. Fifteen additional nations have been placed under heightened scrutiny, including major African countries such as Nigeria, Tanzania, and Senegal. Citizens from these countries will not face an outright ban but will encounter stricter vetting procedures and limitations on specific visa categories, such as work, student, or immigrant visas.
The White House has maintained that the expanded travel restrictions are grounded in national security concerns, citing issues related to identity verification, information-sharing practices, and perceived risks tied to immigration systems in the affected countries. However, critics argue that the growing list disproportionately targets developing nations and regions already grappling with conflict, instability, or humanitarian crises.
With more than 30 countries now facing either full or partial entry restrictions, the latest proclamation underscores the administration’s hardline approach to immigration and border security. The expanded ban is expected to have far-reaching consequences for international travel, diplomacy, and thousands of individuals whose plans to enter the United States are now indefinitely disrupted.
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