The United States is preparing to expand its travel ban to cover more than 30 countries, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Thursday, signalling a major escalation in the Trump administration’s approach to immigration and security.
Speaking on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Noem was asked whether the travel ban list would increase to 32 countries. While she did not confirm the exact number, she said the updated list would include “over 30” nations and that President Donald Trump was “continuing to evaluate countries” for inclusion.
In June, Trump signed a proclamation blocking entry for citizens of 12 countries and placing restrictions on travellers from seven others, including both immigrants and non-immigrants such as tourists, students, and business visitors. The administration argues that these measures are needed to protect the US from terrorism and other security threats.
Noem did not name the countries likely to be added. However, she suggested that nations with unstable governments or weak identity verification systems would be targeted.
“If they don’t have a stable government and help us vet them, why should we allow people from that country to come to the US?” she said.
Reuters previously reported that the administration was examining the possibility of banning citizens from 36 additional countries, based on an internal State Department cable.
The expected expansion comes days after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, DC. The suspect, an Afghan national who entered the US in 2021 under a resettlement programme, has been charged with first-degree murder. Trump has since argued that the programme lacked proper screening.
Following the incident, Trump vowed to “permanently pause” immigration from all “Third World Countries,” though he did not define which nations he meant.
The administration has already ordered a broad review of asylum cases approved during the Biden administration and of green cards issued to citizens of 19 countries.
Since returning to the office in January, Trump has made immigration enforcement a central focus. His administration has deployed federal agents to major cities, tightened border restrictions, and turned away large numbers of asylum seekers.
While much attention has been placed on mass deportations and border controls, the expanded travel ban marks one of the biggest shifts yet in the administration’s approach to legal immigration.
