Trump Administration Eyes Travel Ban on Nigeria, 35 Other Nations

The United States may soon expand its controversial travel ban to include Nigeria and 35 other countries, as the Trump administration continues tightening immigration policies ahead of a key election year.

According to a report by The Washington Post, the U.S. State Department has identified a list of nations under review for visa restrictions, citing concerns over inadequate identity verification systems, government fraud, and visa overstays.

25 African Nations on the Watchlist

A memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio reveals that the countries have been given 60 days to comply with newly outlined security and documentation standards. They were also ordered to submit preliminary compliance plans by Wednesday at 8 a.m.

The memo reportedly noted that some countries either lack “a competent or cooperative central government” capable of issuing reliable identity documents or are plagued by systemic fraud and non-cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.

Among those listed, 25 are African nations, sparking fresh concerns of racial bias and the potential impact on diaspora communities.

Full List of Countries Under Review

• Africa: Nigeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Sao Tome and Principe

• Asia: Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Syria

• Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia

• Oceania: Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu

The report highlights that many citizens from the listed countries overstayed their U.S. visas, exacerbating immigration challenges. The expansion of the ban could severely impact students, skilled workers, and family members hoping to travel to or remain in the U.S.

President Trump has long championed tough immigration restrictions, and this latest move is likely to spark international backlash, especially from Africa, which was previously labeled as a target of discriminatory immigration policies.