Trump expands and tightens US travel restrictions, citing persistent vetting failures

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump has issued a sweeping new proclamation expanding and tightening restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals from dozens of countries, arguing that persistent failures in screening, vetting and information-sharing pose unacceptable risks to national security and public safety.

- SIPHELELE DLUDLA

The proclamation, signed on Tuesday and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, builds on earlier measures taken during Trump's first term and reinstated early in his second administration through Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949.

‘Trump said the updated restrictions follow extensive interagency reviews and continued engagement with foreign governments that, in many cases, failed to address longstanding deficiencies. “It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security and public safety threats,” Trump said, adding that the government must exercise “extreme vigilance” in visa issuance and immigration processes.

Under the new proclamation, the United States will continue to fully suspend the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants from 12 countries previously identified as posing significant risks: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Nationals of four countries, Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela, will remain subject to partial entry suspensions. In addition, Trump ordered full entry suspensions for nationals of seven new countries: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Syria.