Summary:
- U.S. plans to expand travel ban to over 30 countries, DHS says.
- Administration is evaluating countries on stability and vetting.
- Reuters reported the administration is considering banning citizens of 36 more countries.
THE U.S. IS planning to expand its travel ban to more than 30 countries, according to the Department of Homeland Security. This follows a previous ban on citizens from 12 countries and restrictions on seven others for national security reasons.
The administration is evaluating countries by government stability and ability to vet individuals, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, according to Reuters.
When asked if the administration would increase the number to 32, she said, “I won’t be specific on the number, but it’s over 30, and the president is continuing to evaluate countries."
In June, Trump signed a proclamation banning citizens of 12 countries from entering the U.S. and restricting those from seven others to guard against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats, Reuters reported. The bans applied to immigrants and nonimmigrants, including tourists, students, and business travelers.
Noem did not specify which countries would be added.
“If they don’t have a stable government, if they can’t identify individuals and help us vet them, why should we allow people from that country to come to the U.S.?” she said.
Reuters reported that the Trump administration was considering banning citizens of 36 additional countries, according to an internal State Department cable. Expanding the list would further the migration measures the administration took after the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., Nov. 26.
Investigators said the shooting was carried out by an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 through a resettlement program officials said lacked sufficient vetting.
Days later, Trump vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries,” without naming or defining them.
Earlier, Department of Homeland Security officials said Trump had ordered a review of asylum cases approved under President Joe Biden and Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has prioritized immigration enforcement, sending federal agents to major U.S. cities and turning away asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. His administration has emphasized deportations but given less attention to reshaping legal immigration.
