The United States federal government could add 36 more countries to its travel ban list if security protocols demanded by the State Department are not met within two months, according to a memo from Secretary of State Marco Rubio first reported by the Washington Post.
Under the measures, citizens of the following primarily African nations would potentially be prevented from entering the US: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
They could join people from the 12 countries (Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen) subject to a full travel ban since 9 June 2025, or the seven nations (Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela) which are partially restricted.
“Questionable security”
“The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days,” the internal message said. A variety of reasons for the “concern” were given, ranging from accusations of involvement in acts of terror against the US to untrustworthy or incompetent authorities responsible for issuing identity documents or passports in the named countries, resulting in “questionable security”.
In addition, the memo blamed some nationals from those countries who were guilty of overstaying their visas, as well as the relevant agencies failing to remove designated citizens or help the US to deport them.
“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” a senior State Department official commented, adding: “The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process.”
Legal challenges and protests
President Donald Trump made border policies and travel bans, particularly targeting Muslim-majority states, a feature of his first term and has continued in the same vein since day one of his second.
The recent ban on people from Afghanistan raised concern for the safety and well-being of people claiming asylum after helping the US in its so-called “war on terror” in the region. Immigration or “ICE” teams have been reported as rounding up people of colour from streets, businesses and university campuses, ahead of deportation – actions which have been challenged in the courts and in recent protests in California and elsewhere.
