Trump travel ban: Why is Trump admin planning to expand travel ban to 36 more countries? Explained in 10 points

The United States is considering restricting entry to citizens of an additional 36 countries. This is seen as a significant expansion of the travel ban announced by the Trump administration early this month, The Washington Post reports citing a State Department memo.

This is in addition to Trump’s recent executive proclamation which has already barred 12 countries from entering the US.

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Here are ten things you need to know:

-Donald Trump’s administration is considering significantly expanding its travel restrictions by potentially banning citizens of 36 additional countries from entering the United States, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.

-Earlier this month, Trump signed a proclamation barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States, citing national security and terrorism-related threats. The move was part of a broader immigration crackdown launched in the early months of his second term.

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-According to the Reuters report, the administration’s recent ban on 12 countries was touted as necessary to protect the US from “foreign terrorists and other national security threats”. -The State Department has identified various security and administrative shortcomings in the 36 countries currently under review, The Washington Post reported.-Among the key issues raised include- lack of co-operation in identifying verification or the issuance of forged or insecure passports and failure to facilitate deportation of nationals ordered to remove from the US.

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-Other issues include high overstay rates of US visa holders and historical ties to terrorism or antisemitic or anti-American activities.

-“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” a senior State Department official said in background, declining to elaborate on individual countries.

-The countries that could face a full or a partial ban if they do not address these concerns within the next 60 days are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

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-If the nations fail to take corrective steps within 2 months to avoid travel restrictions, or else US would take steps such as issuing machine -readable and tamper-proof passports, signing repatriation agreements to facilitate removal of deported citizens, sharing biometric data with US law enforcement and immigration authorities and demonstrating cooperation in counterterrorism intelligence.

-“The Trump administration will always prioritize the safety of Americans. Nations unwilling or unable to meet global identity and security standards will face consequences. We seek cooperation, not confrontation—but compliance is non-negotiable,” White House said, defending the move.

FAQs

What recent action has the Trump administration taken regarding travel restrictions?

The Trump administration has signed a proclamation barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States.

How many additional countries are being considered for travel restrictions?

The administration is considering restricting entry to citizens of an additional 36 countries.