On June 4, 2025, the Trump administration instituted a broad travel ban blocking the US entry of individuals from 12 countries while severely restricting entry from 7 additional countries. On June 14, the Washington Post reported on a State Department cable that indicated the administration is also reportedly considering banning entry from an additional 36 countries, 25 of which are in Africa.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has given countries 60 days to respond to US security requirements.
- Rubio said he is concerned about allowing entry from countries with “widespread government fraud,” “no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents,” or having a large number of US visa overstays.
- Rubio said he is also concerned about claims of “antisemitic and anti-American activity in the United States” by citizens from those countries.
- Rubio explained that countries could be exempted from the ban if they are willing to accept third-country nationals or enter into a “safe third country” agreement with the US.
The 36 countries who received the notice from Secretary Rubio include: Angola; Antigua and Barbuda; Benin; Bhutan; Burkina Faso; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Ethiopia; Egypt; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Ivory Coast; Kyrgyzstan; Liberia; Malawi; Mauritania; Niger; Nigeria; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Sao Tome and Principe; Senegal; South Sudan; Syria; Tanzania; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uganda; Vanuatu; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. It is unclear when the proposed travel restrictions will be enforced if the countries are found not to have met the benchmarks.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
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