US Considers Adding 36 Countries To Travel Ban List

US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering extending travel restrictions to citizens from an additional 36 countries, citing national security and potential foreign threats. The new policy, part of a broader immigration strategy, was outlined in a memo reviewed by the Washington Post.

The memo signed by US Secretary Marco Rubio has stated that "The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days," reported Reuters. The governments of the listed nations have been given a deadline to submit the action plans to meet the requirements. The decision reportedly stems from ongoing issues with incompetent and non-cooperation governments which failed to produce reliable documents and accept the return of their overstaying nationals in the US.

Countries under threat of restrictions include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, among others. This adds to the earlier partial and full ban of over 20 countries, marking Trump's second attempt following the first controversial ban on seven countries.