Trump administration to impose broad travel ban on multiple countries

The Trump administration is considering imposing broad travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries as part of a new visa ban, according to sources and an internal memo seen by Reuters.

The memo outlines plans to divide 41 countries into three groups, with 10 nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, facing a full visa suspension. Five other countries could see partial bans affecting tourist, student, and immigrant visas, while 26 nations may face restrictions if they fail to address security concerns within 60 days.

A U.S. official, speaking anonymously, cautioned that the list is not final and still requires approval from the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The New York Times first reported on the proposed restrictions.

The move echoes Trump’s 2017 travel ban, which targeted several Muslim-majority nations and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. On January 20, Trump issued an executive order tightening security vetting for foreign travelers, directing officials to recommend visa suspensions by March 21 for countries with inadequate screening measures.

The proposed restrictions are part of a broader immigration crackdown, a key focus of Trump’s second term. In a 2023 speech, he vowed to block entry from regions he deemed security threats, including Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.