The United States is preparing to expand its travel ban to more than 30 countries, marking one of the most sweeping escalations of immigration and security restrictions under President Donald Trump. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the move in a televised interview, saying the administration is evaluating “over 30” nations for inclusion on the expanded list Jagonews24 Daily Times ProPakistani U.S. News & World Report The Hill.
The decision builds on a June proclamation that barred entry for citizens of 12 countries and imposed additional restrictions on seven others, affecting immigrants, tourists, students and business travellers. Officials say the expansion is driven by concerns over foreign terrorist threats, unstable governments and countries that lack reliable systems to verify the identities of their citizens Jagonews24 Daily Times ProPakistani The Hill.
Noem did not specify which countries may be added, but emphasised that the administration will target states that cannot provide adequate security assurances. “If they don’t have a stable government… why should we allow people from that country to come here?” she said during the Fox News interview The Hill.
The move comes days after a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., allegedly carried out by an Afghan national previously admitted to the US, an incident that has intensified political pressure on the administration to tighten border controls Daily Times.
The current travel‑ban list includes 19 countries, among them Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen. The expanded restrictions are expected to affect both immigrant and non‑immigrant visa categories, potentially impacting tens of thousands of travellers worldwide The Hill.
Human‑rights groups and immigration advocates have criticised the policy as discriminatory and ineffective, while supporters argue it is necessary to protect national security. The Department of Homeland Security says further announcements will be made once the review process is complete.
