The United States is preparing to broaden its travel restrictions to include more than 30 nations, according to recent comments from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The proposed expansion of U.S. travel ban, still under review, reflects ongoing national security concerns and efforts to overhaul immigration policies under the direction of President Donald Trump.
Noem disclosed the possible move during a television interview, stating that the final list of affected countries had not yet been confirmed but would surpass 30. She emphasized that the administration is continuing to evaluate each country’s ability to assist with background checks and identity verification, which are key factors in determining whether entry will be permitted.
Though specific nations were not named, the expansion could affect a wide range of individuals — including tourists, international students, and business travelers — from countries seen as unable to meet the U.S. government’s security standards.
Security concerns drive policy shift
The move follows a 2020 proclamation that already placed travel limits on citizens from a dozen countries, while imposing tighter requirements on travelers from several others. Officials said the intent was to strengthen background checks and reduce the risk of individuals entering the U.S. without proper screening.
According to Secretary Noem, countries that lack stable governments or functioning identity verification systems pose a greater risk to national safety. She argued that if a country cannot confirm the identity of its own citizens or support the U.S. in vetting applicants, that creates a serious security gap.
While the full list of new countries under review has not been disclosed, a previous report by Reuters suggested that officials were considering travel restrictions for up to 36 additional nations. Internal government communications cited by the report showed the State Department was actively assessing each country’s cooperation and risk level.
Policy response follows violent incident
The possible travel ban expansion comes shortly after a violent event in Washington, D.C., where two members of the National Guard were shot. Authorities later identified the suspect as an Afghan national who had entered the country through a refugee resettlement initiative in 2021.
In the aftermath of the attack, Trump criticized the vetting process used during the refugee intake and announced plans to temporarily halt immigration from what he called “third-world countries,” though he did not specify which nations would be affected.
That announcement drew swift backlash from members of Congress and advocacy organizations. Critics argued that halting immigration from countries already under tight restrictions would only deepen the divide between the U.S. and vulnerable global populations. Some reports also indicated that naturalization ceremonies for applicants from restricted countries were being quietly canceled.
In response to the shooting and broader concerns, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that a review is underway to examine asylum and green card approvals granted during the Biden administration. The review focuses specifically on individuals from countries already listed under travel restrictions.