Trump widens US travel ban, adding 20 more countries, Palestinians to entry blacklist

The move effectively doubles the number of nations affected by entry limits unveiled earlier this year, marking a sharp escalation in the administration’s immigration crackdown.

The new proclamation introduces a full travel ban on citizens from five additional countries, while imposing partial restrictions on 15 others.

Travel using Palestinian Authority-issued documents has also been fully barred.

Who is exempt from the restrictions

The administration clarified that the expanded restrictions will not apply to people who already hold valid US visas, lawful permanent residents, or individuals travelling under specific categories such as diplomats, athletes or cases deemed to be in the US national interest.

The new measures are scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026.

Background to the expansion

In June, President Donald Trump revived one of the most controversial policies of his first term by banning entry from 12 countries and placing heightened restrictions on seven others. 

Those affected included Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen and Haiti, among others.

Tuesday’s announcement adds Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria to the full ban list.

An additional 15 countries, including Nigeria, Senegal, Angola and Zimbabwe, will now face partial restrictions.

The curbs apply to both short-term visitors and those seeking to immigrate to the United States.

Administration cites security and vetting concerns

US officials said many of the newly listed countries suffer from widespread corruption, unreliable civil documentation and weak criminal record systems, making proper vetting difficult.

High visa overstay rates, refusal to accept deportees and broader political instability were also cited as reasons for the move.

The administration linked the expansion to broader national security concerns, including immigration enforcement and foreign policy priorities.

Officials had earlier hinted at tougher measures following the arrest of an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House over Thanksgiving weekend.

Palestinian travel curbs tightened further

The latest decision significantly tightens restrictions on Palestinians.

While earlier measures had already made it nearly impossible for holders of Palestinian Authority passports to travel to the US for work, study or tourism, the new order goes further by banning immigration entirely under those documents.

The administration said the presence of US-designated terrorist groups in the West Bank and Gaza, along with the impact of ongoing conflict on vetting capabilities, justified the decision.

Critics warn of humanitarian fallout

The expansion is expected to face strong opposition from civil rights groups and refugee advocates.

Critics argue the policy unfairly targets people based on nationality rather than individual risk.

Advocacy groups supporting Afghans who assisted US forces during the two-decade war in Afghanistan also raised alarm, noting that the updated policy removes exceptions for Special Immigrant Visa applicants—among the most heavily vetted entrants to the US.

Several countries newly affected said they were seeking clarification from Washington.

Caribbean nations such as Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda described the decision as serious and said they would engage US officials to understand the implications.