UPDATED: 8:25 a.m. EST, December 5, 2025
A significant overhaul of U.S. travel policy is underway as the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says a significant expansion of the country's travel ban list is taking shape, a move that could have far-reaching implications for international travel and tourism.
Kristi Noem announced the rumored expansion of the travel ban was underway, and that the list would add more than 30 countries to the Trump Administration’s controversial travel ban, on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.”
"I won't be specific on the number, but it's over 30, and the president is continuing to evaluate countries," she said.
According to Reuters, which acquired an internal cable from the State Department, the Trump Administration was considering banning travelers from 36 different countries.
This recommendation follows a recent fatal shooting in Washington, D.C., allegedly involving an Afghan national who had been resettled in the United States, reigniting heated debates over immigration policy. Afghanistan is already part of Trump's current travel ban.
Following the shooting, President Donald Trump promised to “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries,” though he didn’t define what that meant.
The existing travel ban restricts U.S. entry for nationals from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Iran and Haiti. The restrictions vary in scope. Some countries face complete bans on entry, while others are subject to partial restrictions affecting only certain visa categories.
Homeland security officials frame the expansion as a critical national security measure, designed to prevent individuals they characterize as dangerous from entering the country.
However, critics contend that such a broad expansion casts an indiscriminate net that could negatively impact legitimate travelers, including refugees, asylum-seekers and international visitors.
The proposed expansion echoes earlier controversial travel bans and threatens to further disrupt global mobility, particularly for citizens of conflict-affected or economically challenged nations.
A broader travel ban could substantially reduce inbound tourism and business travel from dozens of countries, with ripple effects extending through the industry to affect airlines, tour operators and international tourism partnerships.
Visa uncertainty, abruptly changing entry restrictions and potentially worsening diplomatic relations could create further instability across global travel networks and harm inbound tourism to the United States ahead of large global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the upcoming Olympics and Paralympics and America250.
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