President Donald Trump signed a new proclamation on Tuesday significantly expanding a list of countries whose nationals face restrictions on entry to the United States. The order adds seven nations, bringing the total to 19, in a move the White House says is intended to protect U.S. security.
Which Countries Are Newly Added?
The seven countries newly subject to entry restrictions are Syria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Laos, and Sierra Leone. Syria’s addition follows a recent ISIS ambush that killed two U.S. soldiers and an American civilian interpreter, marking the first deaths of U.S. troops there since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
What Is the Full List of Restricted Nations?
These seven join an existing list of 12 countries already under restrictions. The full list of 19 now includes Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and the seven newly added nations. The proclamation also imposes full restrictions on individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents.
Are There Partial Restrictions?
Yes. The proclamation outlines partial entry restrictions for a separate group it terms “high-risk nations.” This list includes Venezuela, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Cuba, Togo, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, and Zambia. The specifics of these limitations vary by country.
Was Any Country Removed?
Turkmenistan was removed from the restrictions list due to what the administration called “productive engagements” with the United States. However, a ban on Turkmen nationals immigrating to the U.S. remains in place, despite a waiver for certain non-immigrant visas.
Why Did This Happen?
The White House stated the decision is rooted in protecting national security. The policy broadly assesses whether foreign governments share sufficient information with U.S. authorities and meet security standards. The addition of Syria is directly linked to recent combat fatalities, signaling a continued focus on terrorism threats.
FAQs
Q: What does this proclamation do?
A: Citing national security concerns, it limits foreign nationals from 19 designated nations from entering the United States.
Q: Are all visas banned for these countries?
A: Not uniformly. The 19 nations face full restrictions, while another group of “high-risk” nations faces partial, country-specific limitations. The exact visa categories affected vary.
Q: Why was Syria added?
A: The White House linked the addition directly to the deaths of two U.S. soldiers and an interpreter in an ISIS ambush, connecting it to ongoing security threats.
Q: Is this the same as the earlier “Travel Ban”?
A: This is an expansion of existing immigration restrictions originally instituted in 2017, often referred to as the “Travel Ban,” now covering more nations.
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