Expanding Restrictions: Trump Introduces New Travel Ban Affecting Five Countries

Wed Dec 17 2025 07:47:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The White House announces an expansion of the U.S. travel ban under President Trump, including five additional countries and restrictions on individuals with Palestinian Authority documents, effective January 1.

President Trump has expanded the U.S. travel ban to include nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, and Palestinian Authority document holders, citing security concerns. The ban will take effect on January 1, with additional restrictions on previously partially restricted countries. The administration attributes the ban's necessity to failures in overseas screening mechanisms and high visa overstay rates.

President Donald Trump has expanded a U.S. travel ban, barring nationals of five additional countries and people traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents from entering the U.S.

The White House stated that the restrictions are intended to protect the security of the United States and will come into force on January 1.

Full-entry restrictions will be imposed on people from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders.

The administration has also moved Laos and Sierra Leone onto the full ban list, which previously faced partial restrictions, and placed partial restrictions on 15 other nations.

Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has tightened immigration controls and justified the expanded travel ban by referencing alleged failures in overseas screening and vetting systems.

Officials expressed concerns over high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil records, as well as terrorist activities. These issues were spotlighted following the recent arrest of an Afghan national connected to an attack on National Guard troops.

This ban marks Trump's third iteration of travel restrictions, following a similar order in 2017 that faced public protests and legal challenges but was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The White House indicated that these restrictions would stay in place until affected countries demonstrate significant improvements in identity management and cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.

While exceptions apply, lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, and athletes traveling for international events will not be affected. Individual waivers may also be granted where travel aligns with U.S. national interests.

Countries with full restrictions:

Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
Burma
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Niger
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Yemen
Individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority issued or endorsed travel documents