Trump expands US travel ban to five more countries

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete December 17, 2025 at 03:02 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

President Trump has expanded the US travel ban, adding full entry restrictions for nationals from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as those traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents, effective January 1st. Laos and Sierra Leone were moved to the full ban list, while partial restrictions were placed on 15 other countries, including Nigeria and Tanzania. The White House cited security concerns, including visa overstay rates, unreliable records, and lack of cooperation with US immigration authorities, as justification for the expanded ban. This is the third travel ban imposed by Trump, with previous iterations facing legal challenges. The restrictions will remain until affected countries improve identity management and information sharing, with exceptions for lawful residents, existing visa holders, and diplomats, and potential waivers based on national interest.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Mali 80% South Sudan 80% Syria 80% Burkina Faso ×280% Niger 80% United States ×4100% Donald Trump ×6100%

Keywords

travel ban 100% immigration controls 70% national security 60% visa restrictions 60% screening and vetting 50% identity management 40% deported nationals 40%