WASHINGTON — President Donald J. Trump has signed a sweeping presidential proclamation expanding travel and immigration restrictions to a total of 39 countries, significantly broadening a policy first introduced in June 2025. The new order, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on January 1, 2026, continues to limit the entry of Burundian nationals as part of a tightened national security and “extreme vetting” framework.
Expanded Scope of the “Travel Ban”
The December 16 proclamation modifies the previous list of 19 countries, roughly doubling the number of nations subject to entry limitations. Under the new rules:
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Continued Partial Restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela remain under partial bans, primarily affecting immigrant visas and specific non-immigrant categories (B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas).
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New Full Bans: Countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria have been moved to the “Full Restriction” list, joining nations like Afghanistan and Iran.
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New Partial Restrictions: 15 additional countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Zambia, now face limitations for the first time under this administration. The White House justified the expansion by citing “persistent and severe deficiencies” in foreign government screening and information-sharing.“The United States must exercise extreme vigilance,” the proclamation stated, pointing to unreliable civil documents and criminal record-sharing in the affected regions.
Security Catalyst and Policy Context
The timing of the expansion follows a high-profile security incident in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national was charged in the shooting of two National Guard members.9 Though the assailant had undergone multiple screenings, the administration cited the event as proof that current vetting systems require the leverage of travel restrictions to compel better cooperation from foreign governments.
Additionally, the policy now targets nations offering “Citizenship by Investment” programs—such as Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica—which the administration claims allow third-country nationals to bypass U.S. security filters.
Reactions from Advocates
The move has drawn sharp rebukes from educational and humanitarian groups. Miriam Feldblum, Executive Director of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, described the ban as a “self-inflicted wound” to U.S. global competitiveness.
“These policies risk harming families, students, and legitimate travelers, while doing little to improve actual security,” Feldblum stated. Conversely, national security officials argue the measures are “necessary to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks sufficient information.”
Comparison of Restriction Levels (Effective Jan 1, 2026)
| Restriction Level | Impacted Countries (Partial List) | Impact on Burundi |
| Full Ban | Afghanistan, Burma, Haiti, Syria, Mali, Niger, etc. | N/A |
| Partial Ban | Burundi, Nigeria, Cuba, Venezuela, Tanzania, etc. | Suspends immigrant visas and B, F, M, J non-immigrant visas. |
| Removed | Turkmenistan (Non-immigrant visas only) | N/A |
Note on Exceptions: The proclamation maintains exceptions for lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), current valid visa holders, and “individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests,” though it notably removes previous carve-outs for some immediate family members and adoptees.
