Potential Expansion of Travel Bans by the Trump Administration
A significant expansion of the Trump Administration’s nationality-based Travel Ban is expected in the next few weeks, to include up to 36 additional countries. As reported by The Washington Post, an internal memo was sent by the Department of State to consular posts on June 14, 2025, stating that the countries listed below may become subject to a ban unless they meet the Trump administration's benchmarks and requirements within 60 days:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ethiopia
- Egypt
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Tuvali
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
It is expected that the Trump Administration will announce which of the above countries will be designated for a ‘Full’ or ‘Partial’ ban after the conclusion of the 60-day evaluation on August 13.
It is likely that the same terms outlined in the June Presidential Proclamation will apply:
‘Full’ ban will make nationals of designated countries ineligible to enter the United States or apply for visas to the United States in most categories.
‘Partial’ ban will only apply to select nationals of designated countries, including tourists (B-2), business visitors (B-1), exchange visitors (J), and students (F and M). Importantly, the ban will not apply to green card holders or to persons who have a valid visa issued prior to the effective date of the ban. The ban also will not apply to dual nationals who are traveling on a passport from a non-designated country. There may be additional exceptions that apply in specific cases.
What this Means for our Clients
The expanded travel ban may be put in place swiftly with little or no advance notice once a decision is made by the Trump Administration. As reported in our previous Alert, the earlier travel ban was announced in a June 4, 2025 proclamation and became effective just five days later, on June 9, 2025.
We continue to recommend that persons working in the United States in temporary status (e.g., H-1B, L-1, TN, etc.) avoid non-essential international travel unless they already have a valid visa or travel document.
Please contact our office if you have questions about how the Trump Administration’s new policies may apply in a specific situation.