Trump's Travel Ban Expanded to Include Five Additional Countries

Wed Dec 17 2025 15:39:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

President Donald Trump has announced the expansion of the U.S. travel ban to include five new countries, citing security reasons. The new restrictions will take effect on January 1, 2026.

In a move to enhance national security, President Trump has expanded the travel ban to include nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, alongside individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents. The changes aim to correct perceived failures in screening and vetting processes, as highlighted by recent security incidents.

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

The White House stated that the restrictions are intended to protect the security of the United States and will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

Full-entry restrictions will apply to individuals 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, which were previously under partial restrictions, to the full ban list and introduced partial restrictions on 15 other nations, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Trump, who has tightened immigration controls since returning to the White House in January, claimed the expanded travel ban was necessary due to failures in overseas screening and vetting systems.

Officials cited issues such as high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil records, corruption, terrorist activity, and a lack of cooperation in repatriating deported nationals.

This announcement follows the arrest of an Afghan national suspected of shooting two National Guard troops over the Thanksgiving weekend, which prompted heightened security concerns.

This marks the third time Trump has imposed a travel ban. During his first term, a similar order in 2017 led to national and international protests and legal challenges, but was ultimately upheld by the US Supreme Court.

The White House indicated that the restrictions will remain until the affected countries demonstrate credible improvements in identity management, information sharing, and cooperation with US immigration authorities.

A number of exceptions will be made; the ban will not impact lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, or athletes traveling for major events, with case-by-case waivers available for national interest purposes.

Countries with full restrictions: