The Trump administration is considering expanding its travel ban to include 36 more countries, according to an internal State Department memo obtained by The Washington Post. The countries under review span Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific, including key U.S. partners such as Egypt and Djibouti. The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines a 60-day deadline for these countries to meet specific benchmarks to avoid full or partial entry bans. Among the criteria are concerns over the inability to produce reliable identity documents, widespread government fraud, high rates of U.S. visa overstays, and security-related issues such as alleged antisemitic or anti-American behavior.
Some countries, such as Syria and South Sudan, are noted for lacking a central authority, while others offer citizenship through monetary investment without requiring residency. The memo also hints that countries willing to accept deported nationals or enter ‘safe third country’ agreements could reduce restrictions.
If enacted, this would mark a major expansion of a previous presidential proclamation on June 4, which already imposed full or partial entry restrictions on more than 20 nations. Critics argue that the list disproportionately affects African and Caribbean nations, drawing parallels to previous controversial travel bans during Trump’s first term. The administration has not announced when new restrictions might take effect.
Original title: Trump administration considers adding 36 countries to travel ban list
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