Trump may widen travel ban; 36 nations flagged over security concerns — See full list
AP file photo
The Trump administration is planning a major expansion of its travel ban, which could soon cover citizens from 36 additional countries. Earlier this month, the Republican president issued an order blocking citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States.
According to an internal US State Department cable seen by Reuters and first reported by the Washington Post, these nations risk being added to the list unless they address specific security concerns within 60 days.
The cable, signed by US secretary of state Marco Rubio, lists various issues that have triggered these concerns. Among them are countries failing to issue reliable identity documents, having weak or uncooperative governments, poor passport security, and refusing to accept their citizens who have been ordered to leave the United States.
Some countries were also flagged for their citizens' involvement in terrorism, antisemitic activities, or anti-American actions. However, the cable noted that not every concern applied to all countries listed.
During Trump's first term, he had already introduced a controversial travel ban on several Muslim-majority nations, a policy that faced multiple legal challenges before being upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018.
The 36 countries now at risk of facing either full or partial bans include:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Bhutan
Burkina Faso
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cote D'Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Congo
Djibouti
Dominica
Ethiopia
Egypt
Gabon
The Gambia
Ghana
Kyrgyzstan
Liberia
Malawi
Mauritania
Niger
Nigeria
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
South Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Tonga
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Zambia
Zimbabwe
This would add to the ban announced earlier this month, which already restricts travel from 12 nations such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. There are also partial restrictions on travellers from countries like Venezuela, Cuba, Laos, and Sierra Leone.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
38 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Israel-Iran tensions: Israel says achieved 'aerial superiority' over Iran's capital; India to assess impact on trade
Israel and Iran traded air strikes for a third consecutive day after Tel Aviv launched a massive surprise attack on Tehran that killed its top military officials, senior scientists and more than 60 civilians, including 20 children on June 13. 1. Death toll crosses 220 in Iran: Israel's renewed attacks on Iran on Saturday struck the country's oil reserves and hit population centres in Tehran, raising the death toll to 224, including 70 women and children. Among the killed were the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)'s intelligence organisation, Mohammad Kazemi, and two other generals. 2. 14 killed in Israel: Iran has retaliated with missile attacks, hitting the center of Tel Aviv and causing havoc in residential suburbs, killing 14 people and wounding 390 others. 3. Iran-US nuclear talks cancelled: The surprise attacks came days before scheduled talks between U.S. and Iran on the future of Tehran's nuclear program, which has been cancelled in the wake of Israeli strikes. Israel, the sole but undeclared nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, has said its attacks were pre-emtive to stop Iran from developing a nuclear program. 4. US officials say Trump foiled Israel's plan to assassinate Khamenei: In an indication of how far Israel was seemingly prepared to go in its recent conflict with Iran, a U.S. official told The Associated Press that President Donald Trump nixed Tel Aviv's plan to kill Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and controls the powerful Revolutionary Guard. 5. Trump calls for a deal between Iran, Israel: US President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Iran and Israel to "make a deal," and stressed he would be able to mediate talks between the warring sides. The statement came hours after in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he sought to distance US from Israel's attacks on Iran.
Time of India
42 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israel-Iran war update: Pakistan to nuke Israel? Top Iranian commander unveils shocking plan
A senior Iranian military official has revealed that Pakistan might launch a nuclear attack on Israel if Israel uses nuclear weapons first amid the ongoing attacks between Israel and Iran, as per a report. Iranian Commander's Shocking Nuclear Warning During an interview on Iranian state television, Mohsen Rezaei, a senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) general and Iranian National Security Council member revealed that, "Pakistan has told us that if Israel uses nuclear missiles, we will also attack it with nuclear weapons," quoted Turkiye Today report. Rezaei also highlighted that Iran has secret tactics and capabilities, as per the report. Pakistan Urges Unity, But Denies Nuclear Threats While, Pakistan has taken a position to "stand behind Iran" and also urged for Muslim unity against Israel after attacks on Iran, no official statement has been issued by any Pakistani official about the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Israel, reported Turkiye Today. However, Pakistani Defense Minister Khwaja Asif has issued a statement on his social media platform X (previously Twitter) on Sunday, saying, "Pakistan is signatory to all international nuclear disciplines; our nuclear capability is for the benefit of our people and the defense of our country against the hostile designs of our enemies. We do not pursue hegemonic policies against our neighbors, which are being amply demonstrated by Israel these days," as quoted in the report. He pointed out that, "Western world must worry about conflicts being generated by Israel; it will engulf the whole region and beyond. Their patronage of Israel, a rogue state, can have catastrophic consequences," quoted Turkiye Today. Live Events While, during a speech at the National Assembly on Saturday, Asif emphasized that Muslim nations should show unity against Israel as he said, "Israel has targeted Iran, Yemen, and Palestine. If Muslim nations don't unite now, each will face the same fate," as quoted in the report. The Pakistani Defense Minister called on the Muslim countries, which have diplomatic ties with Israel, to cut ties immediately and asserted that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) should convene to formulate a joint strategy, reported Turkiye Today. Asif also reassured that Pakistan has deep ties with Iran and Islamabad stands by Tehran amid the conflict, saying, "We stand behind Iran and will support them at every international forum to protect their interest," as quoted in the report. War Between Israel and Iran Intensifies Pakistan's support to Iran comes as Israel conducted airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran on Friday, including military and nuclear facilities, which also led Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes, according to the report. FAQs Did Pakistan really threaten to nuke Israel? Not officially. A senior Iranian official claimed so, but Pakistan hasn't confirmed any such threat. Why would Pakistan get involved in this conflict? Pakistan has strong ties with Iran and is voicing support, but mainly through diplomatic and moral support so far.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Minnesota shooting: Senator Lee calls Boelter ‘Marxist'; Backlash from left and right
AP file photo US Senator Mike Lee of Utah is facing strong criticism after his comments on the recent fatal shootings in Minnesota. On Sunday, just days after the attack, Lee described the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, as a "Marxist" on social media platform X. The post included a picture of Boelter with the caption, 'This is what happens when Marxists don't get their way. The statement quickly drew backlash from across the political spectrum. — BasedMikeLee (@BasedMikeLee) Democratic activist Nina Turner accused Lee of exploiting the tragedy for political gain, saying, 'Using this moment to push your own political agenda is disgraceful, people are dead.' Political scientist Norman Ornstein called the remark 'beyond disgusting' and said it spread misinformation unbecoming of an elected leader. Even conservatives like libertarian journalist Brad Polumbo criticised Lee, questioning whether the senator had 'completely lost it.' The official X account of the US Democratic Party also slammed Lee, calling his post 'pathetic' and noting that he chose Father's Day to politicise the violence. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Boelter held far-right political views and supported US president Donald Trump. The shooting occurred on 13 June during a protest in Burnsville, Minnesota. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like All Senior Drivers Should Claim This Large Reward (Check If You Qualify) Read More Undo Boelter allegedly killed Melissa Hortman, speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband, while injuring senator John Hoffman and his wife. Authorities have described the attack as politically motivated and pre-planned. Investigators found that Boelter had created a 'hit list' targeting Democratic politicians, journalists, and abortion providers. He allegedly posed as a police officer while conducting surveillance on his intended targets. Following the attack, the FBI launched a manhunt, offering a $50,000 reward before capturing Boelter.
