The Trump administration reportedly considered a significant expansion of its travel ban policy, targeting 36 additional countries, with 25 of them located in Africa. This proposed measure stemmed from concerns over national security vetting procedures and high visa overstay rates among citizens of these nations. If implemented, these countries would face stricter visa regulations or complete prohibitions on certain types of travel to the United States.

An internal State Department memo, obtained and reviewed by The Washington Post, revealed the proposed action. Signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and dated Saturday, June 14, 2025, the memo was circulated to U.S. diplomatic posts, instructing ambassadors to engage with the governments of the impacted countries. These nations were given a 60-day window to comply with new State Department security and information-sharing standards. They were also required to submit an initial action plan outlining their proposed measures to address U.S. concerns.

The memo highlighted various reasons for the potential restrictions, including unreliable civil documents, a lack of cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement, elevated visa overstay rates, and instances where citizenship might be granted through financial investment without requiring residency. There were also vague references to “antisemitic and anti-American activity” by individuals from some nations. Countries demonstrating a willingness to repatriate their nationals or agree to “safe third country” asylum deals could potentially have restrictions waived.

The expansion, if enacted, would represent one of the most substantial extensions of the contentious travel ban policy first introduced in 2017. It follows President Trump’s June 4 proclamation that imposed a full ban on travelers from 12 countries, predominantly in the Middle East and Africa, and partial restrictions on eight others. The policy originated from an executive order signed on Inauguration Day, directing U.S. agencies to identify countries with inadequate vetting and screening processes. While the Biden administration had previously revoked similar bans in 2021, labeling them discriminatory, Trump had campaigned on expanding such measures.

The increased travel restrictions could have profound and far-reaching implications, significantly impacting trade relations, academic exchanges, diplomatic ties, and diaspora mobility between the United States and a large portion of Africa. The full list of the 36 countries under consideration, predominantly African but spanning multiple continents, includes:

Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, 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.