36 More Countries May Be Added to Trump’s Travel Ban

 

Following the Trump Administration’s June 9th travel ban, partially or fully restricting the entry of certain foreign nationals from 19 countries, the New York Times has reported that the State Department plans to expand this ban. According to the NYT, the State Department released a cable, indicating an expansion that would include the following 36 countries, unless they could address certain security concerns within 60 days.

 
 

In this cable, the State Department expressed varying concerns for each country listed, although they did not disclose specifics. The cable, however, referenced a series of general concerns, including:

  • Governments’ inability to manage passport screening and vetting processes; 

  • Questionable passport security;

  • High rates of visa overstays;

  • Terrorist activity in the United States;

  • Minimal cooperation in reclaiming citizens who were deported by the United States; and

  • Giving citizenship to those who were not residents of their countries.

The cable continued that, in addition to resolving their particular security issues, the targeted countries could further reduce general concerns by agreeing to receive individuals the United States was attempting to deport or by acting as a safe haven for migrants applying for asylum in the United States.

This proposed ban follows the Trump Administration’s plans to develop a three-tiered travel ban list - as reported by the New York Times in March of this year. This list was slated to contain three categories: countries whose nationals were fully banned, partially banned, and a final list which detailed countries given a 60-day period to address the Administration’s concerns. 

The Trump Administration has not publicly announced any details. This information is based exclusively on media reporting.   

In light of the 60-day period (possibly) given to these countries, another travel ban may be announced in the next few months.  Nationals of the countries on this new list should make their international travel plans with options for easy cancellation and purchase travel insurance. 

We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and provide updates as they become available. 

The alert is for informational purposes only. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further

 
Nadia Yakoob