Chicago – June 15, 2025
The Trump administration is thinking about expanding its travel restrictions. They may ban citizens from 36 more countries from entering the United States, according to a memo from the U.S. State Department seen by Reuters.
Earlier this month, President Trump signed an order that stopped people from 12 countries from coming to the U.S. He said it was needed to protect the country from “foreign terrorists” and other national security risks. This move is part of his wider plan to tighten immigration rules during his second term. This plan also includes deporting hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of being part of gangs back to El Salvador, and limiting foreign students from studying in the U.S.
In a recent memo sent to U.S. embassies and signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department listed concerns about 36 countries. The memo said these countries might face full or partial travel bans if they do not meet certain standards in 60 days.
Some of the problems include not having reliable identity documents, weak security with passports, and not cooperating with the U.S. on deporting people who need to leave the country. Another issue is that some people from these countries overstay their U.S. visas.
