President Donald Trump has signed a new presidential proclamation significantly expanding restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into the United States, adding 15 countries to a growing list facing partial travel limitations.
The proclamation, signed on Tuesday, is part of the administration’s broader effort to tighten U.S. travel and immigration standards based on updated security and cooperation assessments.
The newly affected countries under partial restrictions are Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The directive maintains full travel restrictions on the original 12 countries previously designated as high-risk: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In addition, full restrictions have now been imposed on five more countries following recent security reviews. These are Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. The proclamation also extends full restrictions to individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority–issued documents.
Two countries—Laos and Sierra Leone—have been upgraded from partial to full restrictions, while partial limitations remain in place for Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.
In a notable adjustment, the proclamation lifts the nonimmigrant visa ban on Turkmenistan, citing improved cooperation with U.S. authorities. However, immigrant visa restrictions for Turkmen nationals remain in force.
The proclamation outlines several exemptions, including lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, select visa categories such as diplomats and international athletes, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve U.S. national interests.
U.S. officials say the measures are intended to strengthen border security and ensure compliance with American immigration and travel requirements, though critics argue the policy could further strain diplomatic relations and limit legitimate travel.
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