The number of countries currently banned for travel into the US could increase to “over 30”, in a latest statement by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem.
Noem, who first posted her recommendation of a “full travel ban” on X on 2 December, spoke to Fox News two days later regarding the list, which she said President Trump is “continuing to evaluate”.
The Trump administration had outlined a memo in June earlier this year, as part of sweeping immigration changes in the wake of the deaths of two National Guard troops.
As of the time of writing, the travel ban affects citizens of 12 countries, while restricting access from seven more.
The ban currently applies to Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, while restricted entry applies to travellers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
The rules cover all citizens, regardless of tourists, students or business travellers.
DHS told the BBC that the list would be announced soon.