U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries

The United States is preparing to significantly widen its travel ban, with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirming that the list will soon include more than 30 countries. Speaking on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Noem declined to give an exact figure but made clear that President Donald Trump’s administration is actively reviewing additional nations for inclusion.

The travel restrictions, first expanded in June, currently bar citizens from 12 countries and limit entry for people from seven others. These measures apply to both immigrants and non-immigrants, including tourists, students, and business travelers. According to the administration, the policy is aimed at preventing potential security threats and addressing concerns about inadequate vetting systems in certain countries.

Noem emphasized that nations with unstable governments or weak identification systems are likely candidates for the expanded ban. She argued that without reliable cooperation from foreign governments, the U.S. cannot confidently verify the identities of incoming travelers, raising national security concerns. A previous Reuters report indicated that officials were considering adding as many as 36 more countries, based on an internal State Department cable.

The renewed push for stricter travel controls follows the recent shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly carried out by an Afghan national who arrived in the U.S. in 2021 through a resettlement program. The incident has fueled criticism from officials who claim the program lacked thorough vetting. In response, Trump vowed to “permanently pause” migration from what he called “Third World Countries,” though he did not specify which nations he meant.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has prioritized aggressive immigration enforcement, deploying federal agents to major cities, tightening asylum rules, and reevaluating green card approvals for citizens of 19 countries. While the administration has prominently highlighted deportation efforts, the potential expansion of the travel ban signals a broader shift toward reshaping legal immigration policies as well.