Trump widens travel ban, impacting families across 20 nations
Restrictions affect visitors and immigrants seeking safety, opportunity
Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation significantly expanding United States travel restrictions, adding 20 more countries and the Palestinian Authority to an already controversial list. The decision sharply widens the limits on who can visit or immigrate to the US, affecting thousands of families, students, and workers around the world.
With the latest move, five countries now face a complete travel ban, meaning most of their citizens are barred from entering the United States under almost all circumstances. Another 15 countries have been placed under partial restrictions, limiting access to certain visa categories. In addition, the administration has imposed a full restriction on travel by people using Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents, a step that has drawn particular attention due to its political and humanitarian implications.
The White House said the expansion is part of a broader effort to tighten US entry standards and strengthen national security. Officials linked the decision to security concerns, pointing to the recent arrest of an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House during Thanksgiving weekend. The administration argues that stricter screening and limits are necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Despite the sweeping nature of the restrictions, the proclamation includes several exemptions. Individuals who already hold valid US visas will not be affected, and lawful permanent residents are also exempt. Diplomats, certain athletes, and specific categories of visa holders may still be allowed to enter. In some cases, entry could be approved if it is deemed to serve US national interests. However, the administration has not announced when the new measures will officially take effect, leaving many travelers uncertain about their plans.
This expansion builds on restrictions first announced in June, when Trump revived one of the most recognizable policies from his first term. At that time, citizens from 12 countries were fully barred from entering the US, while nationals from seven other countries faced partial limits. The June ban covered Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
On Tuesday, the administration added Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria to the full travel ban list. South Sudan had already been under significant restrictions, but the new proclamation further tightens access.
As the list grows, critics say the policy risks deepening humanitarian hardships and separating families, while supporters argue it prioritizes safety. For many affected communities, the decision is not just a policy shift, but a deeply personal disruption to hopes of travel, reunion, and opportunity.