Entering the US May Get Tougher, Trump Preparing to Expand Travel Ban from 19 to 30 Countries

Washington (The Uttam Hindu): US President Donald Trump is moving toward tightening entry rules for several countries. The Trump administration is preparing to expand the current travel ban list from 19 countries to nearly 30. This decision comes after the recent shooting incident in Washington, D.C., which has raised new concerns about national security.

Last week, two National Guard personnel were shot in Washington. One of them died while the other is seriously injured. The accused, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan citizen, reportedly entered the US in 2021 and had previously worked with the US Army and the CIA in Afghanistan. The Trump administration is using this incident as an example of weaknesses in the immigration system and as justification for stricter entry restrictions.

At present, the US has a full travel ban on 12 countries: Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea, and Haiti. Partial restrictions exist for Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Together, these total 19 countries, which may soon be increased to around 30.

USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) has announced that green card, visa, and immigration applications from citizens of the 19 restricted countries have been halted for now. In addition, people who entered the US during the Biden administration will undergo renewed screening.

The Trump administration has previously enforced strict immigration measures, such as reducing the number of refugees, ending Temporary Protected Status for several countries, proposing H-1B visa fees up to $100,000, and canceling thousands of visas. Expanding the travel ban has once again become a major priority for the administration.