Yemen Joins Iran, Haiti, Libya, Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and More as US Prepares to Expand Travel Ban to Over 30 Countries Amid National Guard Shooting and Rising Security Threats

Published on December 3, 2025

In an unprecedented move, the United States is preparing to significantly expand its travel ban to include nearly 30 countries, including Yemen, Iran, Haiti, Libya, Myanmar, and the Republic of Congo. This sweeping decision follows a deadly shooting involving a national from Afghanistan and rising concerns over national security and immigration control. The proposed expansion, which has sparked debates among officials and human rights advocates, underscores the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration policies amid increasing security threats.

The U.S. government, through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is said to be drafting the new travel ban list, which would see the expansion from the current 19 countries to a broader group of nations. The decision to add more countries to the ban stems from increasing concerns about inadequate vetting procedures and cooperation with U.S. deportation requests. These nations, according to U.S. officials, have failed to provide essential cooperation in security measures that would prevent potentially harmful individuals from entering the country.

The Expansion: What’s Included and Why It Matters

The travel ban was first implemented in 2017, initially targeting seven predominantly Muslim countries. Since then, the scope has grown as U.S. officials have identified additional nations they deem to be high‑risk. Countries like Iran, Yemen, Libya, and Venezuela have already been partially or fully affected by the current restrictions. With the proposed expansion, the U.S. will now widen its net, possibly including more countries that fail to meet certain U.S. security benchmarks.

According to a recent proclamation from the White House, nations that have demonstrated deficiencies in identity management, deportation cooperation, and overall immigration security will be impacted by the travel restrictions. The announcement of the expansion comes in the wake of a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., where a national from Afghanistan, who had been granted asylum in the U.S., killed two National Guard members. The tragedy has reignited calls for more stringent immigration and vetting procedures.

Who Will Be Affected: The Broadening List of Restricted Countries

The new list of banned countries will likely include those from conflict‑ridden regions, with several countries in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Latin America under review. In addition to Yemen, Iran, Haiti, Libya, and Myanmar, countries like Afghanistan, Somalia, and Venezuela are expected to be included in the expanded ban. Nationals from these countries will face severe limitations on travel to the U.S.

While U.S. officials claim that the travel ban is in place for national security reasons, human rights groups have raised alarms about the broader implications of such measures. They argue that the policy disproportionately affects civilians and innocent families who are seeking refuge in the U.S. or who have legitimate reasons for travel.

The Policy Rationale: National Security at the Forefront

The White House has justified the expansion as part of a broader strategy to protect American citizens from security risks posed by certain foreign nationals. In particular, DHS points to security lapses in countries that are unable or unwilling to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement and identity‑verification systems. The administration’s stance has consistently been that individuals from these countries may pose a threat due to the inability of their governments to properly screen or track travelers.

“Many of the countries identified as high‑risk fail to provide adequate documentation and refuse to share information related to their citizens’ backgrounds,” stated DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a recent briefing. “This expansion is a direct response to the dangers posed by these vulnerabilities.”

Critics of the policy argue that targeting countries based on nationality rather than individual circumstances is discriminatory and harmful to those who are legitimately seeking asylum or work opportunities in the U.S.

The Global Fallout: What Does This Mean for Migrants and Travelers?

As the U.S. prepares to enforce the expanded travel ban, the potential global impact on migration flows and international travel is significant. People from the affected countries, particularly those in the Middle East and North Africa, could face extreme difficulties in pursuing family reunification, educational opportunities, or refugee resettlement in the U.S.

The new policy would create additional barriers for thousands of individuals who have long sought to reunite with family members in the U.S. or enter the country legally. This could also trigger humanitarian concerns, especially for those fleeing conflict zones who depend on asylum programs for safety.

Legal and diplomatic tensions are expected to rise as countries from the restricted list may push back against the ban. Some may seek to negotiate agreements with the U.S. to improve their security cooperation and lift the restrictions. Others may retaliate by imposing similar restrictions on U.S. travelers or intensifying calls for broader international migration reforms.

The Road Ahead: Legal Challenges and International Reactions

As with previous travel bans under the Trump administration, the latest expansion is expected to face legal challenges. Rights groups, advocacy organizations, and political opponents have already expressed their intention to seek judicial review of the new measures. They argue that the restrictions violate international human rights laws and place undue strain on global migration networks.

In addition, several nations that have been targeted by the ban are likely to protest, citing the negative impact on bilateral relations and their citizens’ rights to travel freely. Diplomatic efforts may emerge to urge the U.S. to reconsider its decision, with some countries offering to reform their own security practices in exchange for a lift of the travel restrictions.

While the specifics of the expanded travel ban remain fluid, it is clear that the U.S. is stepping up its efforts to control immigration flows amid growing concerns about security. However, the fallout from this policy could have long‑lasting consequences for both U.S. foreign relations and global migration patterns.

The Conclusion: An Uncertain Future for Global Migration

As the U.S. takes steps to tighten its immigration policies, millions of individuals from affected countries will face an uncertain future. For many, the dream of a better life in the U.S. may seem out of reach, as family members, students, and refugees face long‑term restrictions on their ability to enter the country. The proposed travel ban is a stark reminder of the ongoing debates about national security versus humanitarian responsibility.

In the coming months, it will be crucial for the global community to monitor how these developments unfold. Will this expansion lead to greater security, or will it deepen divisions between the U.S. and the countries it targets? Only time will tell how the expansion of the travel ban will reshape the future of immigration to the U.S.