Washington D.C. – The Trump administration is reportedly considering a significant expansion of its controversial travel ban, potentially adding more than ten countries to the existing list.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed in a recent interview that the administration is actively evaluating countries for inclusion. “I won’t be specific on the number, but it is more than 30 countries, and the President is continuing to evaluate nations,” Noem stated, stopping short of identifying which countries are under consideration.
The news comes shortly after the administration announced a series of measures aimed at curbing immigration. These measures included the freezing of all immigration applications from citizens of 19 nations, including Afghanistan, Yemen, and Sudan.
According to an internal memo from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the processing of applications for permanent residency (Green Cards) and citizenship has already been suspended for citizens of twelve countries since June. These countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Furthermore, seven additional countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – have been added to a list that subjects their citizens to enhanced vetting procedures.
The USCIS memo emphasized that cases involving citizens of these nations, even those who entered the United States after January 20, 2021, will undergo extensive scrutiny. This may include re-examination of previously adjudicated applications. The expansion of the travel ban is likely to generate further debate and legal challenges.
