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President Donald Trump could prohibit another 36 countries from entering the United States.
Trump’s administration is considering expanding the scope of its controversial travel restrictions to include citizens from 36 additional countries, according to a classified State Department cable obtained by Reuters.
The proposed expansion comes just days after Trump signed a new proclamation banning entry from 12 countries and partially restricting travelers from seven others.
The administration argues these moves are necessary to protect national security, citing terrorism concerns and unreliable identity documentation.
“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter) earlier this month.
He emphasized the risks of admitting travelers from countries with ‘a large-scale presence of terrorists’ and poor vetting systems.
The initial ban, which took effect on June 9, 2025, affects travelers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Meanwhile, seven other countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – are now under partial restrictions.
The newly proposed list of 36 countries includes Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Egypt, and Syria, among others.
According to the internal memo signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the countries have 60 days to address U.S. concerns or risk being added to the ban.
These concerns include passport fraud, poor cooperation in deporting nationals ordered removed from the U.S., and high rates of visa overstays.
“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 memo states.
Notably, Egypt, which is not currently on the banned list, has drawn attention following the recent arrest of Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman.
He allegedly threw a gasoline bomb at a pro-Israel protest in Boulder, Colorado, while overstaying his visa and holding an expired work permit.
A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters: “We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws.”
This move builds on Trump’s immigration crackdown in his second term, which has included deporting suspected gang members and tightening visa requirements for international students.
The administration maintains that these actions are part of a broader effort to uphold national security.
The African Union has urged the U.S. to reconsider the approach, calling for ‘constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.’
Officials from Somalia and Venezuela have also voiced concerns over what they see as an unfair and harmful policy.
Trump, who previously implemented a travel ban during his first term – a decision upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 – has stated the list of banned countries could continue to grow.
“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” he said.
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