The US have moved to ban citizens from a number of countries across the world, from entering the country altogether.
Donald Trump's second term as US President has been far from plain sailing, as he's recently spoken about his desire to take Greenland, even if it means doing it the 'hard way'.
The opening fortnight of 2026 has also involved Trump calling for missile strikes on Venezuela and the abduction of their leader, Nicolás Maduro, to be charged with drug and weapons offences on US soil.
Just last week, Trump called the late Renee Good a 'professional agitator', while his administration described the late mum as a 'domestic terrorist' following her death at the hands of an ICE agent on 7 January.
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Good was shot three times in the face by Agent Jonathan Ross while in her car, after allegedly clipping him when looking to drive away, following orders from the President for ICE to carry raids out on the Minnesota area.
But the controversy has continued, as several countries have been hit by the US' 'eassessment of immigrant visa processing'.
Why the US just banned 75 countries from entry
According to a State Department memo, consular officers have been told to refuse visas under existing laws as a reassessment of 'screening and vetting' procedures take place.
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This pause is set to begin on Wednesday 21 January, before a new system of immigrant visa processing is decided upon.
Taking to X, a Homeland Security spokesperson revealed that the 75 countries which would have immigrant visa processing paused were those whose 'migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates'.
"The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people," he added.
The spokesman claimed: "The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival.
"We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused.
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"The Trump Administration will always put America First."
Full list of countries banned from entering the US in 2026
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
What the US Entry ban means for travellers
Travellers from these nations will be temporarily banned from entering the country, though the immediate worry has shifted towards the World Cup this summer.
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The US will be hosting the tournament alongside Canada and Mexico, and questions have been raised about whether the fans, or even the players, will be allowed onto American soil come the opening ceremony on 11 June.
Nations such as Brazil, Colombia, Ivory Coast, Iran, and Uruguay have qualified for the World Cup Finals but following news of the travel ban, it's unsure how nationals from these countries will be allowed in.
It is also unclear how long this 'pause' will be in place, and many remain hopeful that it will be lifted come the summer.
Topics: Donald Trump, US News, World Cup
Joshua Nair