The Trump administration has expanded its U.S. travel ban to include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria, sharply widening restrictions on travel and immigration to the United States. The decision, announced Tuesday in Washington, imposes a full entry ban on the five countries and partial restrictions on 15 others, including Nigeria, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire and Tanzania. Travel using documents issued by the Palestinian Authority has also been fully restricted.
The measures, which take effect on January 1, double the number of countries affected by travel limits first unveiled earlier this year. They apply to both short-term visitors and immigrants, though exemptions remain for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, diplomats, athletes and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve U.S. national interests. U.S. officials say the expansion is based on national security assessments, citing weak civil documentation systems, high visa overstay rates, corruption, and ongoing instability in several of the listed countries. The administration also pointed to challenges in verifying identities and enforcing immigration rules.
Human rights and refugee groups have criticized the move, arguing it amounts to discrimination based on nationality and could block some of the world’s most heavily vetted migrants, including refugees and individuals who supported U.S. operations abroad. Several affected governments said they are seeking clarification from U.S. authorities as international criticism of the policy continues to mount.
