Urgent: Trump Administration Pushes 36 Countries to Take Action and Avert Travel Ban

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has set a deadline for 36 countries, mostly in Africa, to improve how they vet travelers. If they don’t, their citizens could face a ban on visiting the United States.

A recent diplomatic note from the State Department instructed U.S. embassies to gauge these countries’ willingness to make changes by midweek. They need to enhance travel documentation and take steps for undocumented nationals already in the U.S.

Countries have 60 days to respond to U.S. concerns. Failure to do so could see them added to an existing travel ban affecting 12 other nations. This move reflects ongoing efforts to tighten U.S. immigration policy, linking it to national security concerns. Trump’s administration has pointed to some countries as having weak screening processes. In response, a few nations criticized the travel restrictions and promised to take reciprocal actions, while resettlement groups argue that these measures create division.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized that the administration is looking for trust in these nations’ vetting processes and their willingness to accept deported nationals. She noted that time is running out for these countries to prove they can improve the situation.

However, it’s unclear if nations that commit to improvements but don’t fully meet the benchmarks in two months will still face a ban.

The list of targeted countries includes traditional U.S. allies like Egypt and Djibouti, which have military ties with America, as well as others such as Liberia and Nigeria, known for their historical friendship with the U.S. Interestingly, Syria and Congo were also included, even as they were omitted from previous bans.

Some countries, like South Sudan, already face separate travel bans. Meanwhile, the administration has previously enacted a ban on twelve countries, including Afghanistan and Iran, restricting new visa issuance but not revoking existing ones.

Here are the names of the 36 countries affected: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

As migration trends evolve, it’s worth noting that a significant number of people from Africa attempt to migrate to the U.S. each year. In 2022, nearly 60% of these migrants were from Sub-Saharan African countries, highlighting the importance of addressing their situations fairly and effectively.

These developments continue to stir debate. Many experts argue that a more nuanced approach could benefit both the U.S. and these nations. In a recent survey by the Migration Policy Institute, 75% of respondents identified the need for a balanced immigration policy that considers humanitarian aspects along with security concerns. Building partnerships over strict bans might lead to better outcomes for all involved.

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