The Trump administration has widened its U.S. travel ban, adding Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria to the list of countries facing full entry restrictions.
The decision, announced Tuesday in Washington, also introduces partial travel limits on 15 additional nations, including Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Tanzania. In a separate move, travel to the United States using documents issued by the Palestinian Authority has been completely barred.
The expanded policy doubles the number of countries affected by travel restrictions first unveiled earlier this year. Set to take effect on January 1, the measures apply to both short-term visitors and prospective immigrants. Exceptions will remain for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, diplomats, athletes and individuals granted entry on national interest grounds.
U.S. officials said the expansion is based on national security considerations, pointing to concerns such as unreliable civil documentation, high visa overstay rates, corruption, political instability and immigration enforcement challenges. Recent security incidents were also cited as factors behind the decision.
Opponents of the policy argue that it discriminates on the basis of nationality and could prevent entry for some of the world’s most extensively vetted migrants. Refugee and human rights organizations warned that the ban may affect vulnerable groups, including Afghans who previously assisted U.S. military operations.
Several of the newly affected countries said they are seeking clarification from U.S. authorities, as international criticism of the expanded travel restrictions continues to grow.
