The Trump administration has expanded its travel ban, adding five countries to the previous list of those facing full restrictions and entry limitations. The Proclamation: “Continues full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.” “Adds full restrictions and entry limitations on five additional countries based on recent analysis: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents.” President Donald J. Trump just signed a Proclamation further restricting and limiting the entry of foreign nationals to protect the security of the United States. — Continues full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries:… — Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 16, 2025 Full text: President Donald J. Trump just signed a Proclamation further restricting and limiting the entry of foreign nationals to protect the security of the United States. — Continues full restrictions and entry limitations of nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. — Adds full restrictions and entry limitations on five additional countries based on recent analysis: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents. — Imposes full restrictions and entry limitations on two countries that were previously subject to partial restrictions: Laos and Sierra Leone. — Continues partial restrictions of nationals from four of the seven original high-risk countries: Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela. — Because Turkmenistan has engaged productively with the United States and demonstrated significant progress since the previous Proclamation, this new Proclamation lifts the ban on its nonimmigrant visas, while maintaining the suspension of entry for Turkmen nationals as immigrants. — Adds partial restrictions and entry limitations on 15 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. — The Proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories like athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests. — The Proclamation narrows broad family-based immigrant visa carve-outs that carry demonstrated fraud risks, while preserving case-by-case waivers. BREAKING: The Trump administration expands travel ban to include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. https://t.co/1yTYs99oeh — The Associated Press (@AP) December 16, 2025 More from the Associated Press: The Trump administration said in its announcement of the expanded travel ban that many of the countries from which it was restricting travel had “widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents and criminal records” that made it difficult to vet their citizens for travel to the U.S. It also said some countries had high rates of people overstaying their visas, refused to take back their citizens who the U.S. wished to deport or had a “general lack of stability and government control,” which made vetting difficult. “The restrictions and limitations imposed by the Proclamation are necessary to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose, garner cooperation from foreign governments, enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives,” reads the White House proclamation announcing the changes. The Afghan man accused of shooting the two National Guard troops near the White House has pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges. “Thanks to President Trump, a travel ban has been placed on Afghans, along with people from 18 other third-world countries. This is what being AMERICA FIRST looks like,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) said. “If the previous administration prioritized protecting American citizens instead of inviting terrorists to our country, Sarah Backstrom may still be alive today,” he added. Thanks to President Trump, a travel ban has been placed on Afghans, along with people from 18 other third-world countries. This is what being AMERICA FIRST looks like. If the previous administration prioritized protecting American citizens instead of inviting terrorists to our… — Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) December 16, 2025 USA TODAY shared further: When Trump enacted the previous ban over the summer, experts told USA TODAY that it would likely complicate things for existing visa holders and could make re-entry more difficult. It’s also likely to make it harder for applicants from those countries to obtain new visas. Individuals from the affected countries who have already purchased tickets to travel to the U.S. should consult with their airlines and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. While some exceptions exist, most travelers from the fully banned countries are expected to be denied entry. Those from partially restricted countries may still be allowed to travel, subject to additional screening and requirements.