Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration is mulling over imposing new travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo obtained by Reuters. The proposed measures, which could affect 41 nations including Afghanistan, Cuba, and Syria, signal a potential revival of stringent immigration policies reminiscent of the first-term “Muslim ban.”
The memo outlines a tiered approach, categorizing the 41 countries into three groups. The first group of 10 nations—among them Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea—would face a complete suspension of visa issuance. A second group, including Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, would encounter partial suspensions impacting tourist, student, and certain immigrant visas, though some exceptions would apply. The third group, comprising 26 countries such as Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, could see partial visa restrictions if their governments fail to address vetting deficiencies within a 60-day window, the memo specifies.
The list remains under review and requires approval from key administration figures, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sources told Reuters. Officials cautioned that the roster and its conditions could still be amended before implementation.
The proposal follows a January 20 executive order mandating heightened security vetting for foreigners seeking entry into the United States to identify potential national security threats. The order also directed cabinet members to compile a list of countries warranting visa suspensions due to inadequate screening and vetting processes.
This move harks back to 2017, when the first Trump administration enacted a partial travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries, a policy Trump and his aides openly labeled a “Muslim ban.” That measure came on the heels of Trump’s December 2015 call for a “total and complete” shutdown of Muslim entry into the U.S. following an Islamic State-inspired mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. At the time, Trump insisted the pause was necessary “until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.”
The latest restrictions align with campaign promises Trump made in October 2023 to block entry from regions like Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and “anywhere else that threatens our security.” If enacted, the policy would dovetail with ongoing Department of Homeland Security efforts to deport undocumented migrants tied to newly identified terrorist crime networks, including Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, El Salvador’s MS-13, and the Mexican-American 18th St.
In a parallel development, the administration is pushing to revoke immigration status and deport foreign-born university graduates involved in controversial activism. Among them is Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate who led campus protests last year against Israel’s war on Gaza.
As a plane takes off symbolizing the stakes of international travel, the administration’s plans remain fluid. The final list of countries and the scope of restrictions hinge on internal deliberations and diplomatic responses in the weeks ahead. Critics are already drawing parallels to past policies, while supporters argue the measures are essential to safeguarding national security.