The U.S. government is preparing a significant expansion of its travel ban, adding up to 32 more nations following the recent fatal shooting in Washington, D.C., involving an Afghan citizen.
A State Department cable reveals that officials are considering designating dozens additional countries as “countries of concern.” These proposed additions would come alongside existing restrictions on citizens from 19 nations. Under President Donald J. Trump’s June order, entry is fully banned for citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen among others, with partial limits imposed on Cuba, Laos, and Venezuela.
Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national charged in connection with the shooting deaths of two members of the National Guard (one fatally), has pleaded not guilty. The administration’s proposed updates cite national security grounds for the additional restrictions, including concerns over terrorism links, high visa overstays, unreliable identity verification processes, and insufficient cooperation between foreign governments and U.S. authorities.
These changes are expected to be announced shortly by the Department of Homeland Security.
