Trump Administration Expands Travel Bans to Over 30 Countries

The Trump administration announced plans Thursday to expand its travel restrictions to more than 30 countries, building on an existing ban that limits entry from 19 nations deemed high-risk for national security reasons. The move, confirmed by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, comes in the wake of a fatal shooting last month that killed one National Guard member and injured another in Washington, DC.

The expansion escalates measures first implemented in June, when President Donald Trump issued a proclamation fully barring travel from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions were placed on seven others: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These bans apply to both immigrants and nonimmigrants, including tourists, students, and business travelers. Noem declined to name the additional countries under consideration but stated that evaluations are ongoing based on factors such as government stability and the ability to vet individuals effectively.

"If they don't have a stable government there, if they don't...