Trump administration proposes travel ban targeting Nigeria, 35 other nations over security

The Trump administration is reportedly planning a new wave of travel restrictions affecting Nigeria and 35 other countries, citing national security and documentation issues. 

The proposal, outlined in an internal memo obtained by The Washington Post, was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sets a 60-day deadline for affected countries to meet new identity verification standards or face varying levels of travel bans.

According to the memo, the listed nations are being targeted due to concerns over weak government systems, unreliable civil documentation, and widespread fraud. It states that “some countries had no competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents,” while others suffer from systemic corruption.

African Nations Dominating the List

The proposed list heavily targets African countries, with 25 from the continent, including:

Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Egypt, Cameroon, South Sudan, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, among others.

These countries, the memo suggests, must provide an initial compliance plan to the State Department by Wednesday to avoid travel restrictions.

Other Regions Affected

Beyond Africa, the list includes nations from:

Asia: Syria, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan.

The Caribbean: Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda.

The Pacific: Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

Levels of Sanctions

The proposed travel ban, a continuation of earlier policies floated by the Trump White House, categorizes nations into three tiers:

-Red – Total travel ban.

-Orange – Visa restrictions.

-Yellow – 60-day warning.

This latest proposal is a significant expansion of a March initiative that listed 43 countries, though Nigeria was not included at that time.

No Implementation Date Yet

While no official implementation date has been announced, the memo hints at swift action should countries fail to comply within the 60-day window.

Trump Announces Investment Plan for U.S. Children

In a related development, President Trump announced a $1,000 federal investment for every American child born between 2025 and 2028. The plan, touted as part of a broader economic empowerment initiative, would be deposited into a federal savings account for each eligible child. Details on implementation remain sparse.

Mixed Reactions

Critics of the travel ban proposal warn that it could disrupt families, students, and businesses, especially from countries with large diaspora populations in the U.S., such as Nigeria. Supporters argue it's a necessary step to protect American national security and immigration integrity.

As the 60-day deadline looms, all eyes will be on how the listed countries respond — and whether the administration proceeds with full enforcement.