The Trump administration is reportedly considering a major enlargement of its journey ban, probably concentrating on residents from as much as 36 extra international locations, in accordance with an inner State Division memo dated June 15, 2025. This follows the latest reinstatement of a journey ban on June 9, 2025, which totally restricts entry from 12 international locations—Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen—and imposes partial visa restrictions on seven others: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The proposed enlargement might dramatically reshape U.S. immigration coverage and international relations, constructing on a controversial measure from Trump’s first time period.
The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines considerations about international locations failing to fulfill U.S. benchmarks, similar to dependable id doc issuance, cooperation on deportations, or low visa overstay charges. The 36 international locations into consideration embrace 25 African nations (e.g., Egypt, Djibouti, Nigeria, Ethiopia), a number of Caribbean states (e.g., Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica), and Asian and Pacific international locations like Bhutan, Cambodia, and Tonga. These nations have 60 days to deal with deficiencies or face full or partial entry bans. The administration cites nationwide safety, terrorism dangers, and visa overstays as justifications, referencing a latest Boulder, Colorado, assault by an Egyptian nationwide, although Egypt was notably excluded from the ban.
The present ban, affecting 19 international locations, has already drawn criticism for its broad scope and perceived discriminatory impression, significantly on African and Center Jap nations. Critics, together with the African Union and immigration advocates like Becca Heller of the Worldwide Refugee Help Undertaking, argue it harms households, refugees, and U.S. international ties, with Chad retaliating by suspending U.S. visas. Supporters, like Congressman Clay Higgins, body it as a vital safety measure. Authorized specialists recommend the ban’s refined construction, with exemptions for present visa holders, inexperienced card holders, and particular teams like Afghan Particular Immigrant Visa recipients, could face up to challenges, not like the 2017 ban, which was revised a number of instances earlier than Supreme Court docket approval in 2018.
X posts mirror polarized sentiment, with some customers like @MAGANewsUnfiltd praising the enlargement as a daring safety transfer, whereas others, like @YaYaOregon, warn it might isolate the U.S. globally, probably pushing affected nations towards Russia or China. These posts stay inconclusive however spotlight public division.
The proposed enlargement dangers straining diplomatic relations, disrupting industries reliant on overseas expertise, and exacerbating humanitarian considerations, significantly for international locations like Haiti and Sudan, already dealing with crises. Whereas the administration emphasizes safety, critics query the ban’s consistency and effectiveness, noting no clear proof hyperlinks prior bans to stopping terrorism. The state of affairs stays fluid, with potential modifications to the checklist pending additional assessment.
By Worldwide Coverage Correspondent
Printed: June 17, 2025
