Citizens of 36 more countries may be banned from entering the US
Tengrinews.kz – The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is considering significantly tightening travel restrictions by potentially banning entry to citizens from 36 additional countries, according to an internal State Department cable reviewed by Reuters.
The diplomatic cable, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines dozens of concerns regarding these countries and demands corrective measures.
“The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days,” the cable states.
Among the concerns listed are the lack of competent or cooperative governments in issuing reliable identity documents, and the “questionable security” of some countries’ passports.
Other issues include: Non-cooperation in repatriating nationals ordered to be deported from the U.S. Overstayed visas by their citizens. Involvement of some nationals in terrorism, anti-Semitic, or anti-American activities in the U.S.
The 36 countries that risk full or partial bans if they fail to resolve these issues within 60 days include: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Previously, Trump signed an executive order banning entry from 12 countries, claiming it was necessary to protect the U.S. from “foreign terrorists” and other national security threats.
Currently, entry is fully banned for citizens of: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Entry is partially restricted for citizens from: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.