Trump Expands Travel Restrictions to 39 Countries Over National Security

President Donald J. Trump has signed a new presidential proclamation to expand the list of countries facing U.S. travel restrictions. The total number of affected nations now stands at 39. The move, announced on Tuesday by the White House, marks a sharp increase from the previous list of 19 countries facing full or partial entry bans.

The updated order includes seven additional countries now subject to full travel bans: Sierra Leone, Laos, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Niger, Mali, and Syria. Both Sierra Leone and Laos were previously under partial restrictions.

In addition to the full bans, 15 more countries have been placed under partial travel restrictions. These include Antigua and Barbuda, Angola, Benin, Dominica, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Malawi, The Gambia, Mauritania, Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Tonga, and Zimbabwe.

According to the White House, these measures target nations that fail to meet U.S. standards for information-sharing, identity management, or counterterrorism cooperation. The administration said the restrictions are designed to reduce the risk posed by travelers whose background cannot be adequately verified.

The proclamation is based on recommendations from cabinet officials and national security assessments conducted under Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949. Officials stated that the decision reflects newly gathered country-specific intelligence, as well as updated reviews of global screening practices.

“The expansion of these restrictions is necessary to safeguard the American public from individuals whose entry cannot be properly vetted,” the proclamation states. It also emphasizes the need to align with broader national security and foreign policy goals.

The directive includes exceptions for certain groups, such as lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, and foreign nationals whose entry would serve U.S. interests.

During his first term, Trump introduced a series of travel restrictions aimed at countries with inadequate vetting systems or those considered high-risk. The newly signed proclamation continues that strategy by expanding the list of affected nations and tightening security standards.