Donald Trump Expands Travel Restrictions, Adding Full Bans on Five Countries and Palestinian Authority Documents

 

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a proclamation significantly expanding U.S. travel and immigration restrictions, imposing full entry bans on nationals from five additional countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria—as well as on individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The move also elevates Laos and Sierra Leone from partial to full restrictions and introduces new partial limits on 15 other nations, bringing the total number of countries affected to 39.

The proclamation, effective at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026, builds on an earlier measure from June 2025 that reinstated and updated travel bans from Trump's first term. It continues full suspensions for an original list of 12 high-risk countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Partial restrictions remain in place for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela. The new partial restrictions apply to nationals of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These partial measures primarily affect immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories, such as business (B-1), tourist (B-2), student (F/M), and exchange visitor (J) visas.

In a notable adjustment, the administration lifted restrictions on nonimmigrant visas for Turkmenistan nationals, citing improved cooperation on identity management and information-sharing, though immigrant entry remains suspended.

The White House justified the expansions by citing persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing in the affected countries, which pose risks to U.S. national security and public safety. "Many of the restricted countries suffer from widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents and criminal records, and nonexistent birth-registration systems—systemically preventing accurate vetting," the fact sheet stated.

Specific concerns highlighted include high visa overstay rates, refusal to repatriate nationals, and ongoing terrorist activities. For instance, Burkina Faso faces issues with terrorist organizations and a 9.16% B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate. Syria was noted for lacking adequate central authority for issuing reliable passports amid security challenges.

The inclusion of Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents under full restrictions marks a politically sensitive addition, effectively barring most Palestinians traveling on such documents from entry, except in limited case-by-case exemptions.

This expansion follows a June 2025 proclamation that initially restricted entry from 19 countries, rooted in Executive Order 14161 issued on Trump's inauguration day, emphasizing protection from foreign terrorists and security threats. The Supreme Court previously upheld similar restrictions during Trump's first term in Trump v. Hawaii (2018), affirming presidential authority under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The timing aligns with heightened immigration enforcement, including responses to incidents like the November 2025 shooting of National Guard members by an Afghan national. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had recommended broadening the list earlier in December.

Exceptions include lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on non-restricted passports, certain diplomats, athletes, and cases deemed in the national interest. Existing valid visas are not revoked, and the proclamation does not apply to those physically in the U.S. on the effective date.

Immigration advocates criticized the move as overly broad and discriminatory. The International Refugee Assistance Project called it "especially harmful," noting impacts on immigrants already in the U.S. seeking benefits, including disruptions to citizenship ceremonies.

The restrictions aim to pressure countries to improve cooperation while advancing counterterrorism and foreign policy goals. Officials will review compliance periodically, potentially adjusting lists based on progress.

This proclamation represents one of the most extensive travel ban expansions in recent U.S. history, predominantly affecting African and Middle Eastern nations. It underscores the administration's focus on stringent vetting amid global instability, including conflicts in regions like the Sahel and Gaza.

As implementation approaches, affected travelers are advised to consult U.S. embassies or airlines. The State Department and Department of Homeland Security will handle enforcement, with potential for further guidance.

The policy has reignited debates over immigration, security, and humanitarian concerns, with legal challenges possible despite prior court precedents.