The Trump administration is once again sharpening its focus on immigration. A confidential memo from the U.S. State Department reveals that 36 countries-including Tanzania and Uganda-may soon face full or partial travel bans to the United States if they fail to meet new security standards.
The internal cable, first reported by The Washington Post and later confirmed by Reuters, outlines a new phase in President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration approach. The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, points to a range of concerns—from passport security to weak cooperation in deportation procedures.
“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,” the cable reads.
If enacted, this would mark one of the largest travel restrictions introduced under Trump’s second term, expanding on the existing ban targeting 12 nations earlier this month.
Security and Cooperation at the Centre
At the heart of the issue is what U.S. officials describe as a failure by some governments to verify identities or ensure passport integrity. Others are accused of being uncooperative when it comes to accepting back their nationals ordered to leave the United States.
A senior State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said:
“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws.”
The official added that visa processes must reflect “the highest standards of national security and public safety.”
The cable lists issues like overstaying visas, involvement in terrorism, and anti-American sentiment as contributing factors. However, it also notes that not all concerns apply to every country on the list.
Who’s on the List?
The countries under review include Angola, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, among others. All face possible restrictions unless they respond to U.S. demands within two months.
Tanzania and Uganda are among the more prominent African nations named, a move that has already sparked quiet concern among regional diplomats.
The latest watchlist follows a previous directive issued by Trump banning entry from 12 countries including Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Restrictions on others, like Venezuela and Cuba, remain partial.
A History of Bans
Trump’s original travel ban in 2017, which targeted mostly Muslim-majority countries, faced legal battles before being upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. Critics called it discriminatory, while Trump defended it as a national security necessity.
Now, in his second term, the Republican president appears determined to widen the net.
Analysts say this expanded list signals a broader policy shift-from a terrorism focus to one grounded in identity verification, deportation cooperation, and general compliance with U.S. immigration norms.
Human rights groups have already raised concerns. “This could unfairly punish entire populations for bureaucratic failings of their governments,” said one representative from a Washington-based advocacy group.
So far, there has been no formal response from most of the countries named in the memo. However, diplomatic sources suggest some African and Asian nations are quietly engaging with Washington in a bid to avoid penalties.
For now, the clock is ticking. The 60-day window puts pressure on governments to act quickly-or risk being cut off.
