WASHINGTON, United States — An already complicated patchwork of U.S. entry rules is poised to grow far wider. The Trump administration plans to bar most travel from about 30 nations—possibly as many as 32—after an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard troops just blocks from the Capitol last week, Bloomberg and CNN reported.
What We Know About the Proposed Expansion
According to Bloomberg, officials are finalizing a proclamation that would add roughly 30 countries to America’s existing no-entry list. CNN, citing a person familiar with the deliberations, said the upper limit could reach 32 nations once internal reviews conclude. At present, travelers from 12 countries face a full entry ban, while citizens of another seven must navigate partial restrictions. No timeline was given for the forthcoming list, but Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted on social media that an announcement is “coming soon.” “Recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies,” Noem wrote on X.
Current Full Bans: 12 Countries Already Affected
Before the latest proposal, the United States had imposed blanket entry prohibitions on these 12 nations:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Partial Bans: Seven More With Limited Access
Citizens of the following seven nations currently face narrower curbs, ranging from tighter visa vetting to restrictions on certain non-immigrant categories:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Trigger: A Deadly Shooting in the Capital
The push for broader border limits came days after an Afghan man allegedly opened fire on two National Guard soldiers near Union Station in Washington. Andrew Wolfe remains in critical condition, while Sarah Beckstrom died of her injuries Thursday, authorities said. Former President Donald Trump seized on the incident to renew his campaign pledge to, in his words, “permanently pause migration,” Trump said at a rally, from what he labeled “Third World Countries.”
What an Expanded Ban Means for Travelers
For U.S. citizens:
- Outbound itineraries could be disrupted. Airlines often cancel or re-route flights when reciprocal restrictions arise, so expect last-minute schedule changes if the country you plan to visit lands on Washington’s blacklist.
- Consular services may be limited. Embassies in blacklisted nations frequently scale back staff once bilateral tensions flare, complicating passport renewals and emergency assistance.
- Travel insurance loopholes. Some policies exclude coverage for trips made illegal by government action. Verify fine print before departure.
For foreign nationals:
- Visa appointments will halt. Once a full ban takes effect, routine non-immigrant and immigrant visa services end immediately for affected countries.
- Existing visas may be revoked. Past proclamations have included clauses invalidating un-used visas; check status promptly.
- Transit plans are uncertain. Even connecting through a U.S. airport could become impossible, forcing travelers to re-route through Europe or the Gulf.
Tips for Travelers
- Monitor the State Department’s “country information” pages daily; updates often appear there several hours before formal White House releases.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive push alerts if you are already overseas.
- Keep digital and paper copies of all travel documents; carriers frequently demand additional verification during policy shifts.
- Consider flexible or refundable fares through airlines that waive change fees for government-mandated disruptions.
How Quickly Could Rules Change?
Historically, bans roll out in phases. The proclamation is published in the Federal Register first, usually taking effect within 24 to 72 hours. Airlines then receive Department of Homeland Security directives telling them to deny boarding to travelers covered by the order. Because legal challenges are common, expect a succession of court filings that could delay, narrow or overturn portions of the policy. During earlier iterations, the Supreme Court ultimately upheld most restrictions but allowed humanitarian waivers on a case-by-case basis.
Airline and Airport Response
U.S. carriers have yet to comment publicly, but aviation analysts say route networks will likely shrink on short notice. Hubs such as New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson and Los Angeles International historically process heavy volumes of connecting passengers from Africa and the Middle East—regions represented heavily on the current ban list. International airports in Doha, Istanbul and Addis Ababa may benefit from increased traffic as travelers seek alternative transits that circumvent U.S. airspace.
Possible Countries on the Watchlist
Officials have not released an official roster, but policy researchers note that nations flagged last year for “elevated security concerns” under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act could be primary candidates. Those include Nigeria, Pakistan, Belarus and Belize, though no confirmations have been issued.
Looking Ahead
Congressional reaction has been mixed. Some Republicans applauded the administration’s stance, while several Democrats promised legislative action to rein in what they view as an excessively broad use of executive power. Immigration attorneys urge travelers to act swiftly. “When similar proclamations dropped in the past, clients with valid visas sometimes had only hours to board a flight before consular systems locked them out,” said San Francisco-based lawyer Maria Ortiz in a phone interview Monday. Whether the final count lands at 30 or 32 countries, one fact remains: the American border is about to become markedly tighter, and travelers—U.S. citizens and foreign nationals alike—should map out contingencies now. — as Noem wrote on X.