The United States is planning to broaden its travel ban to include more than 30 countries, according to US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Speaking on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Noem hinted at the possibility of the Trump administration expanding the list of countries affected by the travel ban.
While not disclosing a specific number, Noem confirmed that the number of countries on the travel ban list is over 30 and that President Trump is actively assessing potential additions. The travel ban, initiated by Trump through a proclamation in June, currently prohibits citizens from 12 countries from entering the US and imposes restrictions on individuals from seven other nations as a measure to safeguard against security threats and “foreign terrorists.”
Noem refrained from revealing which specific countries might be included in the expanded list, emphasizing the importance of stable governance and proper vetting procedures for individuals seeking entry into the US. Reports had previously suggested that the administration was contemplating adding citizens from 36 more countries to the travel ban list.
Any extension of the travel ban would signify a heightened response to migration issues following a recent incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were shot. The perpetrator, an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 under a resettlement program, triggered concerns over the vetting process for immigrants. In response, Trump expressed intentions to halt migration from unspecified “Third World Countries,” mentioning the need to review asylum cases and Green Cards issued during the tenure of the previous administration.
Since assuming office earlier this year, Trump’s administration has placed a strong emphasis on immigration enforcement by deploying federal agents to major cities and implementing stricter measures at the US-Mexico border. While deportation efforts have been prominently showcased, the administration is now shifting focus towards reshaping legal immigration policies.