President Donald Trump has announced a significant expansion of the United States travel ban, marking one of the most controversial immigration moves since his return to office. The new policy widens restrictions on entry into the U.S. for nationals from dozens of countries, citing national security, visa overstay concerns, and inadequate identity-verification systems.
The expanded travel ban is scheduled to take effect in early 2026, according to U.S. government statements, and has already sparked global reactions from governments, human-rights groups, and international organizations.
The Trump travel ban is a U.S. immigration policy that limits or restricts entry into the United States based on nationality, visa type, or travel documentation. While earlier versions of the ban focused largely on the Middle East, the new expansion affects countries across Africa, the Middle East, and parts of the Caribbean.
Restrictions vary by country and may include:
Suspension of tourist and business visas
Limits on student and exchange visas
Enhanced screening requirements
In some cases, near-total
entry bans
According to international media reports, the number of affected countries has increased significantly, with both full bans and partial visa restrictions applied.
Some countries face:
Complete entry suspension
Partial restrictions on specific visa categories
Heightened scrutiny and delayed processing
The U.S. government has stated that lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and individuals with previously issued visas may be exempt in certain cases, though this depends on individual circumstances.