Donald Trump 'considering adding another 36 countries' to travel ban list
Donald Trump is doubling down on his anti-immigration stance in the US and is now reportedly considering adding another 36 places to his list of countries banned from visiting the US.
The 79-year-old has faced huge backlash for his actions since returning to the Oval Office, which have included the deportation of hundreds of people to one of the world's worst prisons.
His recent deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Los Angeles has led to significant riots and protests but he shows no signs of backing down after bringing in military aid as he aims to resume control of the second biggest city in the US.
Clamping down on foreign people living in the US wasn't enough for Trump however, as he also recently banned international students from attending Harvard.
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What is Trump’s travel ban list?
Trump initially brought in a travel ban during his first presidential term but it was unsurprisingly scrapped when he was replaced by Joe Biden.
But last month, the US president announced that people from 12 countries would no longer be able to visit, with a further seven countries facing travel restrictions.
Trump said in his order that he 'must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people'.
He acted in the wake of an attack on a pro-Israel rally in Colorado, saying: "We will not let what happened in Europe happen to America.
"Very simply, we cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States. We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm."
Which countries are currently on Trump’s travel ban list?
The countries confirmed last month included a mix of African, Asian, Caribbean and Middle Eastern countries.
Here's the current full ban list:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Other countries with US travel restrictions:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Which other countries could be added to Trump’s travel ban list?
According to an internal memo, 36 counties now have just 60 days to comply to new requirements set out by Trump's government, or they could also face a travel ban.
These countries include:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ethiopia
- Egypt
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Are there exemptions to Trump’s travel ban?
Unless those people from the proposed 48 countries are facing religious persecution in Iran, or are athletes competing in a US competition, they may soon have little chance of visiting the US.
Afghan nationals with Special Immigrant Visas, those who qualify as a 'lawful permanent resident' of the US and dual nationals with citizenship in countries not included in the travel ban should also still be fine to travel.
Topics: Donald Trump, World News, US News
James Moorhouse