Trump Increases Travel Ban Targeting Five More Nations

Thu Dec 18 2025 10:24:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant expansion of immigration policy, President Trump has announced that nationals from five additional countries, along with Palestinian Authority passport holders, will be barred from entering the United States, effective January 1.

President Trump has formalized an expansion of the U.S. travel ban, which now includes nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, along with holders of Palestinian Authority documents. This move aims to bolster national security amid concerns over immigration vetting processes. Exceptions exist for lawful residents and certain visa holders. The changes are set to take effect on January 1.

President Donald Trump has expanded a U.S. travel ban, barring nationals of five additional countries and people travelling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents from entering the U.S.

The White House said the restrictions were intended 'to protect the security of the United States' and will come into force on January 1.

Full-entry restrictions will be imposed on people from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as Palestinian Authority passport holders.

The administration also moved Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously subject to partial restrictions, to the full ban list and put partial restrictions on 15 other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.

Trump, who has tightened immigration controls since returning to the White House in January, said the expanded travel ban was necessary due to described failures in screening and vetting systems overseas. Officials cited high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil records, corruption, terrorist activity, and lack of cooperation in accepting deported nationals.

The announcement followed the arrest of an Afghan national suspected of shooting two National Guard troops over the Thanksgiving weekend, an incident pointed out by the White House in highlighting its security concerns.

This is the third time Trump has imposed a travel ban. During his first term, he introduced a similar order in 2017, which sparked protests and legal challenges at home and abroad. The policy was later upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The White House stated that the restrictions would remain until affected countries show 'credible improvements' in identity management, information-sharing, and cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.

A number of exceptions apply, including for lawful permanent residents, many existing visa holders, diplomats, or athletes travelling for major sporting events. Officials mentioned that case-by-case waivers would also be available when travel is deemed necessary for the national interest.

Countries with full restrictions:

Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
Burma
Chad
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Laos
Libya
Mali
Niger
Republic of the Congo
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Sudan
Sudan
Syria
Yemen
Individuals travelling on Palestinian Authority issued or endorsed travel documents.