TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EYES MAJOR EXPANSION OF TRAVEL BAN—UP TO 36 NEW COUNTRIES COULD BE AFFECTED

The Trump administration is preparing to dramatically expand its controversial travel restrictions, potentially banning citizens from 36 additional countries from entering the United States, according to an internal State Department cable obtained by Reuters.

This expansion follows a recent presidential proclamation barring U.S. entry to citizens of 12 nations. The Trump Administration credits its travel ban to concerns regarding national security threats such as “foreign terrorists.”

A Renewed Push for National Security

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing travel bans on 12 countries including Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and Venezuela. The administration claims that the expanded list of countries now under review includes nations that allegedly fail to meet U.S. information-sharing standards or lack adequate security screening protocols.

According to the internal cable, the expanded restrictions could be implemented in stages and would target both full and partial entry bans — ranging from blanket visa denials to restrictions on certain visa types such as work, student, or tourist visas.

Policy Background

The Trump administration has long pursued aggressive immigration and national security policies. This latest move is a continuation of its 2017 “travel ban” policy, which faced multiple legal challenges before being upheld by the Supreme Court. Critics at the time labeled the ban discriminatory, as it disproportionately targeted Muslim-majority countries.

Despite backlash, the administration argues that the restrictions are rooted in security-based, vetting criteria and that the primary concern is whether foreign governments cooperate with U.S. screening standards.

International and Domestic Reactions

• Immigration advocates and civil rights groups have condemned the potential expansion, warning that it could severely impact families, disrupt international education and business, and escalate diplomatic tensions.

• Democratic lawmakers have vowed to challenge any further expansion in court and through legislative means, accusing the administration of stoking fear and xenophobia under the guise of championing national security efforts.

• Foreign governments from affected regions are expected to respond strongly if the expanded bans are enacted, potentially straining U.S. bilateral relationships and international cooperation.

What Comes Next?

The internal cable does not provide a timeline for implementation, but officials say the administration is moving quickly. The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department are reportedly conducting country-by-country assessments to finalize the expanded list. If enacted, the new ban could represent one of the broadest travel restrictions in modern U.S. history, affecting millions of people and reshaping America’s immigration and foreign relations landscape in the process.

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