President Trump is reportedly eyeing travel restrictions on a whopping 36 additional countries as part of his unapologetic push to tighten America’s borders.
The latest buzz, courtesy of an internal memo obtained by The Washington Post, reveals the Trump administration’s plan to potentially slap visa limits or outright travel bans on nations across Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Oceania, signaling a no-nonsense approach to immigration control.
The Independent reported that back in January, Trump signed an executive order tasking the State Department with pinpointing countries whose vetting processes don’t meet U.S. standards.
That directive set the stage for identifying nations that might face partial or full entry suspensions for their citizens. It’s a policy rooted in prioritizing American safety over open-door ideals.
Fast forward to last Saturday, when Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed off on a memo sent to U.S. diplomats detailing this expansive list of 36 countries.
The document lays out a tight 60-day window for these nations to comply with new State Department requirements or risk facing restrictions.
The memo doesn’t mince words—some of these countries, according to the State Department, lack reliable identity documentation systems or have too many citizens overstaying visas. It’s a fair concern when border security is the goal, though one wonders if diplomacy could bridge these gaps without slamming the door shut.
Interestingly, there’s a carrot in this stick-laden memo: Nations that agree to accept third-country nationals deported from the U.S. might see their other shortcomings overlooked. It’s a pragmatic, if transactional, approach to international relations—cooperate, and we’ll talk.
The list itself is a geographic sweep—25 African countries, including Egypt, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, are named as potential targets for restrictions.
Add to that four Caribbean states like Dominica and Saint Lucia, plus a handful from Asia and Oceania, such as Syria and Vanuatu. It’s a bold move that’s bound to ruffle feathers among allies and adversaries alike.
These nations have a razor-thin deadline—until 8 a.m. Wednesday—to submit initial plans to meet the State Department’s demands. Whether restrictions kick in immediately after that deadline remains unclear, leaving everyone on edge.
This latest development comes just a week after Trump revived his first-term travel ban, imposing a complete entry block on 12 countries and restrictions on seven others.
It’s a clear signal that the administration isn’t backing down from its hardline stance on who gets to cross America’s borders.
Let’s not pretend this is just about travel bans—it’s part of a much larger anti-immigration framework that Trump has championed.
Plans for what’s been called the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history are on the table, targeting unauthorized migrants with a resolve that’s hard to ignore. It’s a policy that prioritizes law and order over progressive calls for leniency.
Critics will undoubtedly cry foul, claiming these moves alienate global partners like Egypt or Djibouti, both named in the memo.
But isn’t it reasonable to ask why some nations can’t meet basic vetting standards in an era of heightened security risks? The balance between compassion and caution is a tightrope, but safety must come first.
Revoking visas and humanitarian protections for thousands of immigrants is also part of this agenda, a decision that’s sure to spark heated debate. Yet, for many Americans tired of porous borders, these steps feel like a long-overdue correction to years of lax enforcement.
The clock is ticking for these 36 countries, and the world is watching how they’ll respond to the State Department’s ultimatum. Will they scramble to comply, or will they push back against what some might see as heavy-handed tactics? Only time will tell.