President Donald Trump expanded U.S. travel restrictions to 39 countries, including several African and Caribbean nations, broadening the previous list of 19 countries. The proclamation cites national security concerns, inadequate vetting, and high visa overstay rates.
Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan were added to the list of countries with full restrictions, along with Syria. Nationals holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents are also fully barred. Fifteen countries face partial restrictions, including African nations Angola, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as Caribbean and Pacific nations Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Tonga.
The administration emphasized that many of these countries have “widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents and criminal records,” complicating proper vetting. Some nations refuse to repatriate removable nationals, and instability in several regions poses security risks.
Exceptions apply to lawful permanent residents, certain visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests.
Trump’s office noted that the country-specific restrictions aim to encourage cooperation and improve vetting abroad. The measure builds on travel restrictions from Trump’s first term, which the Supreme Court upheld in 2017 as within presidential authority and aimed at “preventing entry of nationals who cannot be adequately vetted.”
