President Donald Trump signed a new proclamation on Tuesday, expanding the list of countries subject to a total entry ban to the United States.
According to an official White House announcement, seven additional countries are now affected, including Syria and several nations in Africa and Asia.
In a statement, the U.S. government specified that the decision aims to “strengthen and extend entry restrictions targeting nationals of countries with persistent and serious deficiencies in border controls, information verification, and information sharing,” with the goal of protecting U.S. national security and public safety.
Seven countries are now subject to a complete entry ban
The new measure prohibits entry to the United States for nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, as well as individuals traveling with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
Laos and Sierra Leone, previously subject to partial restrictions, are now under a complete entry ban.
The White House stated that these provisions will take effect on January 1, but did not specify whether humanitarian or diplomatic exemptions will be available.
Syria at the Center of Diplomatic Tensions
Syria’s inclusion comes amid a complex diplomatic context. In recent months, President Trump has expressed support for Syria’s reconstruction and stabilization following discussions in November with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
A former rebel commander and ex-military leader previously affiliated with Al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa had appeared on American sanctions lists before re-emerging internationally. Since the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad, he has traveled abroad to present himself as a moderate leader committed to reunifying a country devastated by civil war and ending its diplomatic isolation.
However, Washington’s position hardened after a recent deadly attack in Syria. According to the U.S. military, two American soldiers and one civilian interpreter were killed in an ambush attributed to a suspected Islamic State operative targeting a joint American-Syrian convoy. The assailant was reportedly killed at the scene.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Donald Trump promised a “very serious response” and described the attack as “terrible” in a press statement.
White House Security Justifications
To justify the ban on Syria, the White House cited high visa overstay rates and ongoing structural deficiencies. According to the official statement, the country “does not have adequate central authority for passport or civil document issuance” and cannot ensure that its border control and verification procedures meet U.S. standards.
U.S. authorities acknowledged some security cooperation with Syria but determined that current conditions do not allow for a reliable assessment of travelers.
Continued Tightening of Migration Policy
This expansion is part of a migration strategy that has been reinforced since President Trump’s return to the White House in January. In June, he signed a proclamation prohibiting entry to nationals of twelve countries and imposing partial restrictions on seven others, citing threats from “foreign terrorists” and other security risks.
These bans, affecting both immigrants and non-immigrants such as tourists, students, and business travelers, remain in effect according to the presidency.
The Trump administration has also added partial restrictions on 15 additional countries, including Nigeria. Nigeria has received particular attention from President Trump, who suggested in early November the possibility of military action due to the treatment of Christians. Nigerian authorities dispute these accusations, arguing they oversimplify a complex security situation and overlook efforts to guarantee religious freedom.
The escalation of migration measures comes amid recent domestic violence. Last month, two National Guard members were shot and killed in Washington. Investigators reported that the attacker was an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 through a resettlement program.
Trump administration officials stated that this program lacked sufficient vetting. Days after the shooting, the president announced his intention to “permanently suspend” migration from what he called “third-world countries,” without providing a specific list or definition.
This article is based on information reported by Reuters.
