The Trump administration has once again reshaped U.S. immigration policy by expanding its travel ban to include 20 more countries, along with people traveling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. The decision, announced Tuesday, significantly broadens restrictions first introduced earlier this year and marks one of the most sweeping moves of Trump’s current term on immigration.
Under the new policy, five additional countries face a complete ban on travel to the United States, while citizens of 15 others will encounter partial restrictions. These rules apply not only to tourists and business travelers but also to those seeking to immigrate permanently. The new measures are set to take effect on January 1.
The administration says the expansion is driven by concerns over national security, citing issues such as unreliable civil records, high visa overstay rates, corruption, and limited cooperation in deportation processes. Officials also pointed to political instability and weak government control in some regions, arguing these factors make effective vetting difficult.
The announcement follows heightened scrutiny of immigration policy after an Afghan national was arrested in connection with a Thanksgiving weekend shooting involving U.S. National Guard troops. While authorities have not directly linked the incident to the expanded ban, it reinforced the administration’s push for tighter entry controls.
The inclusion of Palestinians has drawn particular attention and criticism. The new rules fully block individuals holding Palestinian Authority passports from immigrating to the U.S., extending earlier restrictions that already made travel for work, education, or business nearly impossible.
Human rights organizations and refugee advocates strongly condemned the move, warning that it unfairly punishes people based solely on nationality. Groups supporting Afghan allies of the U.S. military also expressed concern, noting that exceptions for Special Immigrant Visa holders no longer appear to be included.
Meanwhile, governments of affected countries have begun seeking clarification, signaling diplomatic unease as the impact of the expanded restrictions begins to unfold.
