The US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, announced on December 4, 2025, that President Donald Trump’s administration will expand its immigration ban to more than 30 countries. This is a tightening of immigration enforcement, both legal and illegal. The announcement comes after a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., carried out by an Afghan citizen who entered the country through a resettlement program.
The 19 countries already on the Veto List
This is not a new policy or the first step in the administration’s restriction of immigration; in June 2025, President Trump signed an initial program that prevented citizens from 19 countries around the world from entering the country. These countries were divided into two categories: total veto and partial veto.
The total ban prohibits the entry of immigrants, tourists, students, and business travelers. Currently, the countries under a total ban are as follows:
- Afghanistan,
- Chad,
- Republic of the Congo,
- Equatorial Guinea,
- Eritrea,
- Haiti,
- Iran,
- Libya,
- Myanmar (Burma),
- Somalia,
- Sudan, and
- Yemen.
Countries under a partial ban specifically restrict immigrant visas, and some non-immigrant visas, such as those for tourism and study. The countries under a partial ban are:
- Burundi,
- Cuba,
- Laos,
- Sierra Leone,
- Togo,
- Turkmenistan, and
- Venezuela.
The first wave of restrictions is an effective way to protect the nation against foreign terrorists and other security threats. In the words of the Secretary of Homeland Security, “If they don’t have a stable government… that can sustain itself and tell us who these individuals are and help us vet them, why should we allow people from that country to come here to the United States?”
The expanding “Ban List”
The secretary did not confirm in an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” that the number of countries exceeds 30. For now, the final list of nations has not been published, but it is being carefully evaluated. The governmental instability of the countries of origin will be taken into account, as well as the inability of their governments to collaborate in the investigation processes of their citizens. In other words, if there is no governmental infrastructure to confirm that the individual is who they say they are at customs, they have no right to set foot on U.S. soil, since their origin and history cannot be confirmed.
This travel method is not a simple ban on tourist entry, but has much deeper implications.
The ban affects all types of travelers, including immigrants from the third world. It affects immigrants seeking a Green Card to live, work, or reunite with their families in the United States. It also affects students, academics, and even business travelers.
However, the most controversial aspect of this policy is that it affects people who are already legally in the United States. The Trump administration has ordered a widespread review of asylum cases approved during the previous administration, as evidence of serious irregularities has been found. In addition, a review of green cards issued to citizens of these countries since January 2021 has already been ordered.
Not only does this mean that there will be a total freeze—or at least a massive delay—in the granting of immigration benefits, but people who have lived in the country for years, followed all the laws, and are in the final stages of obtaining their residency now find themselves in limbo, unsure whether they will be able to keep their Green Cards.
FAQs
What is the main official reason for the ban?
National security. The government’s main argument is that they cannot successfully veto travellers from collapsing countries where there is no sufficient governmental stability to back-up their documentation. Since there is no way to check their criminal record or prove their documentation is valid, they are not afforded entry in the US.
What types of travelers are affected by these restrictions?
All. The ban applies to:
- Immigrants: Those seeking permanent residence (Green Card).
- Non-immigrants: Tourists, students (F visas), and business travelers, depending on whether the ban is total or partial.