by Washington, D.C. — The Trump administration has expanded visa restrictions targeting foreign nationals from 19 countries, citing national security threats, human rights abuses, and illegal immigration. The list includes Afghanistan, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
The restrictions apply retroactively to June 2025, following an executive order directing federal agencies to review vetting, screening, and information-sharing policies with foreign governments.
Background on the Executive Order
The order required agencies to evaluate country-specific risk factors, such as terrorist presence, visa-overstay rates, and cooperation in accepting deported nationals. Officials were tasked with identifying potential threats before admission into the U.S. and ensuring that admitted individuals do not harbor hostile attitudes toward American citizens, culture, government, or institutions, or support foreign terrorist organizations.
Full entry restrictions have already been applied to Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, while partial restrictions were imposed on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Targeted Human Rights Violations
The State Department cited multiple human rights violations, including religious persecution, gang support, human trafficking, and facilitating illegal immigration.
Notably, visa restrictions were recently imposed on Nigerian officials and family members involved in religious freedom violations, following reports of genocide against Nigerian Christians. President Donald Trump described Christianity in Nigeria as facing an “existential threat”, emphasizing U.S. action against perpetrators.
In Haiti, government officials and associates providing financial or material support to gangs and criminal organizations also face visa restrictions. The administration cited ongoing gang violence and political instability as reasons for these measures.
Targeting Smuggling Networks
The Trump administration is additionally revoking visas and imposing restrictions on Mexican and Nicaraguan transportation executives who allegedly facilitated illegal immigration and human smuggling. Investigations revealed minors being smuggled from the Caribbean through Central America and into Mexico for illegal entry into the United States.
Officials noted that Nicaraguan companies, under permissive government policies, played a role in destabilizing the region and promoting illegal migration. Revoked visas and other measures aim to prevent these individuals from entering the U.S. while holding them accountable for their actions.
Administration’s Broader Strategy
The administration stated that these visa restrictions are part of a larger national security and immigration enforcement strategy, aimed at protecting U.S. borders, combating smuggling networks, and ensuring accountability for individuals undermining American laws and security.
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