US Expands Travel Ban: 40 Countries Now Face Restrictions - Full List

In a move to strengthen national security and public safety, the US has expanded its travel ban to 20 additional countries, bringing the total number of affected nations to 40. The updated list sees 19 countries now facing a complete travel ban to the US. These countries include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan, among others, according to news agency AFP. The White House stated that President Trump signed a proclamation to expand and strengthen entry restrictions on nationals from countries with significant deficiencies in screening and information-sharing. The expanded ban, which goes into effect on January 1, aims to protect the US from potential national security and public safety threats. The complete travel ban list includes: 1. Syria 2. Burkina Faso 3. Mali 4. Niger 5. South Sudan 6. Laos 7. Sierra Leone 8. Myanmar 9. Chad 10. Republic of Congo 11. Equatorial Guinea 12. Haiti 13. Eritrea 14. Iran 15. Libya 16. Somalia 17. Sudan 18. Yemen 19. Afghanistan Partial travel restrictions have also been imposed on citizens of several African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, as well as Canada and Mexico. Other countries facing partial restrictions include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, and several nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia. Critics have argued that the move is unfair and prevents travel for people from a broad range of countries. The administration has suggested that the restrictions are necessary to protect US culture, government, and institutions from potential threats. This expansion comes as part of ongoing efforts by the US administration to tighten entry standards for travel and immigration. The move follows the arrest of an Afghan national suspect in connection with the shooting of two National Guard troops over Thanksgiving weekend.