The United States government, under the Trump administration, is contemplating a significant expansion of its travel ban to include citizens from an additional 36 countries. This proposed measure follows a prior proclamation on June 4th that imposed travel restrictions on 12 nations. According to an internal memo from the State Department, these new countries are mandated to adhere to specific security benchmarks within a 60-day timeframe or face either full or partial prohibitions on entry into the United States.

The State Department's rationale for considering these extensive travel restrictions stems from various security concerns, as detailed in a Reuters-reviewed memo. Primary factors contributing to the potential bans include insufficient passport security, high rates of visa overstays, a lack of cooperation in deportation proceedings, and anxieties regarding the involvement of nationals from these countries in anti-American or terrorist activities. While these issues may not apply universally to every nation on the list, the U.S. government is unequivocally concerned about their collective failure to meet international security standards.

Among the countries under scrutiny are Bhutan, a serene Himalayan kingdom, which faces challenges with border security and passport management due to its relatively low international engagement. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is cited for its long-standing political instability, poor governance, corruption, and struggles with illegal immigration, visa overstays, and non-cooperation on deportations. Egypt, a crucial Middle Eastern ally, contends with internal political instability, terrorism, and inconsistent security cooperation, raising concerns about its adherence to U.S. visa and passport management criteria. Sub-Saharan African nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are also being examined due to issues such as passport security, visa overstays, and non-compliance in deportation cases. Additionally, three Pacific Island nations—Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu—have been identified as failing to meet