Trump Considers Expanding Travel Ban to 36 More Countries
The Facts
- The Trump administration is considering expanding its travel ban to include citizens from 36 additional countries, according to an internal State Department memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and reviewed by multiple news outlets, including The Washington Post and Reuters.
- The proposed expansion would add 25 African nations, including Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia, as well as Caribbean countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, and Pacific Island nations like Tonga and Vanuatu, to the existing restrictions.
- The memo gives these 36 countries a 60-day deadline to meet new U.S. security benchmarks and requirements, with an initial action plan due by Wednesday; failure to do so will result in full or partial travel bans similar to those imposed earlier this month.
Sources Split
LEFT
CENTER
RIGHT
+1
+1
+1
ESTAB
CRIT
CENTER
PRO
ESTAB
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
These travel restrictions are essential for protecting American national security and public safety. Many of these countries cannot provide reliable identity documents or cooperate with basic security measures, creating dangerous gaps in the U.S.'s vetting process. The administration is simply asking these nations to meet reasonable standards that ensure we know who is entering our country.
Establishment-critical narrative
This proposed expansion is discriminatory and racist and unfairly targets predominantly Black, Brown, and Muslim-majority countries without legitimate security justification. The ban separates American families from their loved ones and uses flawed data like tourist visa overstays to justify blocking permanent immigration, which makes no logical sense.
Metaculus Prediction
Public Figures
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 7.18.3