The Trump administration is weighing the addition of Ghana and 35 other countries to a significantly expanded U.S. travel ban, according to a leaked State Department memo reviewed by The Washington Post.
The proposed expansion includes 25 African nations, some of which are U.S. allies, like Egypt and Djibouti, as well as countries in the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific.
The internal memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was circulated to U.S. diplomats on Saturday. It gives affected countries 60 days to meet new identity verification and immigration standards. Governments must submit an initial action plan by 8 a.m. Wednesday, the memo said.
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment, and the White House has not issued a response.
If enforced, this move would mark another escalation in President Trump’s hardline immigration policy.
Reasons for Possible Restrictions:
- The memo outlined multiple failings by the listed countries, including:
- Inability to issue reliable civil or identity documents
- High rates of U.S. visa overstays
- Widespread government fraud
- “Citizenship-for-sale” schemes with no residency requirement
- Alleged antisemitic or anti-American activity by nationals in the U.S.
Countries willing to cooperate, such as accepting deported third-country nationals or entering a “safe third country” agreement, might avoid restrictions, the memo noted.
Countries Named in the Memo:
- Africa: Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Angola, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and more
- Asia: Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Syria
- Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Pacific: Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
- Others: Egypt, Gabon, Liberia, Uganda, and more
This list adds to the June 4 proclamation, which fully barred travel from nations like Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen, while imposing partial restrictions on others, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Sierra Leone.
It remains unclear when the additional restrictions will take effect if the listed countries fail to meet the new U.S. benchmarks.
