The Trump administration said Tuesday, December 16, 2025, that this will happen expand U.S. travel and immigration restrictions to twenty additional countries and an imposition complete suspension for travelers using travel documents issued or approved by the Palestinian Authoritya significant escalation of an access policy first unveiled earlier this year.
The new measures are in effect January 1, 2026with waivers for certain existing visa holders and select categories such as diplomats, athletes, lawful permanent residents, and case-by-case waivers where entry is deemed in the U.S. interest.
The expansion increases the total number of countries subject to a certain level of restrictions 39following the structure of the policy described by multiple outlets and reflected in the White House proclamation.
The government framed the decision as part of a broader impulse tighten screening and vetting standards amid concerns about document integrity, overstays and cooperation with US deportations.
In the proclamation published by the White House, the administration argued that persistent deficiencies in identity management and information sharing in certain jurisdictions — along with corruption and unreliable civil and criminal records — could prevent U.S. officials from completing an effective vetting.
The document also reiterates that the Supreme Court in 2018 upheld similar Trump-era restrictions, a legal backdrop the administration has repeatedly cited as it revives and expands the policy approach.
Newly added jurisdictions and document category (effective January 1, 2026)
Newly added to the full input bar (not in June order):
- Syria (newly excluded; the order cites weak central document authority, screening gaps and higher overstay rates)
- Burkina Faso
- Mali
- Niger
- South Sudan
Newly covered document category (treated as excluded under the order):
- Individuals in possession of travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority (which handles consular matters for many Palestinians in the West Bank)
Upgraded from limited restrictions to a full access bar:
New partial restrictions (reductions on education, employment and business visas) for 15 additional countries:
- Nigeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Ivory Coast
- Dominica
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Senegal
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Important exemptions (the decision states that these groups are not included in the restrictions):
- Individuals deemed to serve US national interests
- Existing visa holders
- Lawful permanent residents
- Certain visa categories
Policy rationale and immediate response
Administration officials tied the move to national security and immigration enforcement priorities, citing persistent shortcomings in screening and, in some cases, visa overstays. The expansion followed heightened scrutiny following a recent high-profile criminal case involving an Afghan in Washington, DC, which the administration referenced as it rolled out additional immigration-related restrictions.
Critics condemned the expanded restrictions as overly restrictive. In one statement posted Tuesday, International Refugee Assistance Project official Laurie Ball Cooper said: “This sweeping ban is not about national security, but is instead yet another shameful attempt to demonize people simply because of where they come from.”
Advocacy groups targeting Afghan war partners also warned that changes could further limit options for people who supported U.S. missions and have already undergone extensive screening.
Reuters additionally reported that the administration’s decision coincides with broader immigration enforcement actions since January, as the White House continues to prioritize stricter border and interior enforcement.
