U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday that the Biden administration is preparing to significantly expand the number of countries covered under its travel ban, taking the total to more than 30.
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Speaking on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Noem declined to confirm reports that the list would rise to 32 countries but acknowledged the expansion is substantial. “I won’t be specific on the number, but it’s over 30, and the president is continuing to evaluate countries,” she said.
President Donald Trump previously signed a proclamation in June barring entry to citizens of 12 countries and imposing restrictions on travelers from seven more, citing threats posed by “foreign terrorists” and inadequate security vetting abroad. The bans apply to both immigrant and non-immigrant travelers, including tourists, students, and business visitors.
Noem did not identify which nations may be added but emphasized that U.S. security depends on reliable vetting systems abroad. “If they don’t have a stable government… if they can’t help us verify identities, why should we allow people from that country to come here?” she said.
Reuters earlier reported that the administration was considering restricting travel from 36 more countries, according to an internal State Department communication. Such an expansion would mark one of the administration’s most sweeping immigration moves to date.
The push follows last week’s fatal shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly carried out by an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 under a resettlement program. Trump has argued the program lacked sufficient vetting and has since vowed to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries,” without specifying which nations fall under that category.
In recent weeks, the Department of Homeland Security has also confirmed a broad review of asylum approvals granted under former President Joe Biden, as well as Green Cards issued to citizens of 19 countries.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has placed a strong emphasis on immigration enforcement, intensifying deportation efforts, deploying federal agents to major cities, and blocking asylum seekers at the U.S.–Mexico border. While the administration has highlighted its removal operations, the expanded travel ban marks a renewed focus on reshaping legal immigration pathways.
