Former US president Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation further tightening restrictions on the entry of foreign nationals into the United States, expanding an existing list of affected countries. Under the order, full entry restrictions have been imposed on nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, in addition to an earlier group of countries already subject to similar measures.
The order also applies full restrictions to individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. According to US officials, the move is aimed at strengthening national security by limiting entry from regions where authorities believe vetting and documentation systems remain inadequate.
The expanded restrictions follow heightened scrutiny of immigration and security procedures after a recent violent incident in Washington, DC. The administration has pointed to concerns about gaps in background checks and information-sharing as justification for tightening controls, arguing that the US must have sufficient data to assess potential risks posed by incoming foreign nationals.
In addition to the five countries facing full restrictions, partial limitations have been placed on citizens from 15 other nations across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. These partial measures are expected to affect certain visa categories rather than imposing a complete ban.
The proclamation states that the measures are intended to protect public safety and ensure that individuals entering the United States do not pose a threat, while leaving open the possibility of future changes if conditions in affected countries improve.