The United States announced a significant expansion of its travel restrictions on December 16, citing persistent gaps in screening, vetting, and information sharing that could threaten national security and public safety. The White House proclamation, issued under the Trump administration, affects nationals from multiple countries across various visa categories, aiming to strengthen border security through data-driven measures.

For Nigeria, the restrictions bar entry for nationals seeking immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas including B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), B-1/B-2 (combined), F (academic studies), M (vocational studies), and J (exchange programs). Consular officers were also instructed to reduce the validity of existing nonimmigrant visas. The White House cited challenges posed by Islamist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State, as well as high visa overstay rates—5.56% for B-1/B-2 and 11.90% for F, M, and J visas—as justification. Nigeria had recently been designated a “Country of Particular Concern” due to alleged extremist activities, a claim denied by the Nigerian government, which highlighted a more nuanced security crisis.

The December 16 proclamation establishes multiple tiers of restrictions. Full entry bans continue for 12 countries under Proclamation 10949, including Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Five additional countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria—were newly placed under full restrictions. Laos and Sierra Leone were upgraded from partial to full restrictions, while travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority were also barred due to ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Partial entry restrictions affect 15 more nations, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Other countries under partial restrictions remain Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela. The administration cited high overstay rates and limited cooperation from foreign governments as primary reasons. The restrictions take effect on January 1, applying to foreign nationals outside the U.S. without a valid visa.

The White House emphasized that the restrictions aim to mitigate risks posed by individuals about whom the U.S. lacks sufficient information. Other objectives include enforcing immigration laws, promoting cooperation with foreign governments, and advancing counterterrorism and national security priorities. President Trump stated, “It is the President’s duty to take action to ensure that those seeking to enter our country will not harm the American people.” The proclamation highlighted challenges such as fraudulent civil documents, weak criminal record systems, lack of birth registration, refusal to share law enforcement data, high visa overstay rates, and the presence of terrorist or criminal activity.

Certain exemptions remain in place, including lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, athletes attending major events, diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests. While family-based immigrant visa exemptions were narrowed due to potential fraud, case-by-case waivers are possible. Notably, non-immigrant visa restrictions for Turkmenistan were lifted after improved cooperation, though immigrant entry for its nationals remains restricted.