Washington: The US administration has significantly broadened its travel restrictions, announcing new limits that affect citizens from 20 additional countries as well as people traveling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The move effectively doubles the scope of a policy unveiled earlier this year, further tightening who may enter or immigrate to the United States.
Under the latest proclamation, five countries have been placed under a full ban, while 15 others now face partial ограничения that limit certain categories of travel. In addition, all travel to the US using Palestinian Authority–issued documents has been prohibited. The changes are scheduled to take effect on January 1.
Officials said the decision reflects heightened scrutiny of immigration and border controls, following a series of security reviews. The administration had previously signaled that additional measures were likely after an Afghan national was arrested in connection with the shooting of two National Guard members during the Thanksgiving period.
The full ban has been extended to Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. South Sudan had already been subject to strict entry limitations, which have now been reinforced. Meanwhile, partial restrictions have been imposed on travelers from Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
These steps build on restrictions announced in June, when the administration barred entry from 12 countries — including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Yemen — and placed tighter controls on travelers from seven others. That policy echoed similar measures implemented during President Donald Trump’s first term.
The administration said existing exemptions will remain in place. Lawful permanent residents, individuals who already hold valid visas, diplomats, athletes and others whose travel is deemed to serve US national interests will not be affected by the new rules.
In explaining the expansion, officials pointed to what they described as persistent problems in some of the affected countries, including unreliable identity documents, corruption, weak criminal record systems and high rates of visa overstays. They also cited difficulties in deporting nationals back to certain countries, along with broader concerns tied to foreign policy, immigration enforcement and national security.
The new restrictions on Palestinians mark a further tightening of US policy. Earlier measures had already sharply limited the ability of Palestinian Authority passport holders to travel to the United States for work, education or tourism. The latest decision goes further by blocking immigration entirely for those using such documents. The administration said the presence of US-designated militant groups in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as the impact of ongoing conflict on screening processes, informed the decision.
The expansion has drawn swift criticism from immigration advocates and civil rights groups, who argue that the policy unfairly targets entire populations rather than addressing specific threats.
“This is not a serious national security strategy,” said Laurie Ball Cooper of the International Refugee Assistance Project. “It’s a sweeping measure that punishes people based on their country of origin.”
Particular concern has been raised over the absence of an exemption for Afghans eligible for the Special Immigrant Visa program — a pathway designed for those who assisted US forces during the war in Afghanistan. Advocacy group No One Left Behind warned that the change could block entry for individuals who have already undergone extensive vetting.
“These allies are among the most carefully screened people the US has ever admitted,” the group said, adding that allowing them to resettle in the US strengthens, rather than undermines, national security.
Governments in several newly affected countries said they were reviewing the announcement. Dominica’s government said it was engaging with US officials to better understand the implications, while Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to Washington described the issue as “serious” and said further clarification was being sought.
The administration also adjusted restrictions for some countries already on the list, tightening limits on Laos and Sierra Leone while easing certain measures on Turkmenistan, which officials said had made improvements. All other provisions announced earlier this year will remain unchanged.
As the policy takes effect in the new year, it is expected to face legal and political challenges from opponents who argue the administration is using security concerns to justify far-reaching immigration barriers.
