U.S. Considers Expanding Travel Ban to Over 30 Countries Amid Immigration Crackdown
The Trump administration is moving to significantly expand U.S. travel restrictions, with the number of countries facing bans potentially rising to more than 30, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
In an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Noem confirmed the expansion is under active consideration. “I won’t be specific on the number, but it’s over 30, and the president is continuing to evaluate countries,” she stated. The remarks follow a social media post by Noem earlier this week in which she declared, “I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
The potential move signals a major escalation of the administration’s immigration policy, which has already imposed varying levels of restrictions on several majority-Muslim and African nations since 2017.
A June State Department memo, cited in reports, listed nations under review for possible inclusion. Countries named include Angola, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. The criteria for evaluation reportedly focus on countries deemed to have weak passport security systems or that have refused to accept citizens the U.S. is attempting to deport.
The debate over stricter travel bans has been reignited following a recent shooting near the White House involving an Afghan asylum seeker. The incident has fueled renewed discussion within the administration about immigration from what some officials have termed “third world countries.”
While the specifics of the expanded ban—including which countries will be listed and the exact restrictions—are still being finalized, the announcement points to a broader strategy to limit entry from nations the administration views as non-compliant or high-risk.
Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have consistently criticized the travel bans as discriminatory and ineffective for national security. An expanded list is likely to face immediate legal challenges, similar to the earlier versions.
The State Department and Homeland Security have not released an official list of targeted countries, indicating that deliberations are ongoing. The potential expansion underscores a continued hardline approach to immigration enforcement in the closing months of the administration.
About The Author
