The United States is preparing for a significant expansion of its controversial travel ban, with the list of affected nations potentially growing to include over 30 countries. This move signals a major escalation in the Trump administration's immigration and national security policies.
Official Confirmation and Rationale
US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the review during an interview on Fox News' The Ingraham Angle on Thursday. When questioned if the administration would increase the number of banned countries to 32, she stated, "I won’t be specific on the number, but it’s over 30, and the president is continuing to evaluate countries."
Noem outlined the core reasoning behind the potential expansion, linking it to security vetting capabilities. "If they don’t have a stable government there, if they don’t have a country that can sustain itself and tell us who those individuals are and help us vet them, why should we allow people from that country to come here to the United States?" she argued.
Context and Recent Developments
This development follows the June proclamation signed by President Donald Trump, which banned citizens of 12 countries from entering the US and imposed restrictions on those from seven others. The administration cited the need to protect against "foreign terrorists" and other security threats. The bans apply comprehensively to both immigrants and non-immigrants, including tourists, students, and business travellers.
The push for expansion gained momentum after the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC, last week. Investigators identified the shooter as an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 through a resettlement programme. Trump administration officials have repeatedly claimed that vetting under such programmes was insufficient. Following the incident, President Trump vowed to "permanently pause" migration from all "Third World Countries," though without specifying any nations.
Broader Immigration Crackdown
The travel ban review is part of a wider, aggressive immigration enforcement drive since Trump returned to office in January. Actions have included sending federal agents to major US cities, turning away asylum seekers at the US-Mexico border, and a widespread review of asylum cases approved under the Biden administration.
Furthermore, officials disclosed that Trump had ordered a review of Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries. While the administration has frequently highlighted deportation efforts, the focus on reshaping legal immigration pathways through measures like the expanded travel ban represents a significant policy shift.
An internal State Department cable, previously reported by Reuters, indicated that the administration was considering banning citizens of 36 additional countries, aligning with Noem's latest comments about a list exceeding 30 nations. The specific countries to be added have not yet been officially disclosed.
