The President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed a new proclamation that significantly tightens entry requirements for citizens from more than thirty nations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The measure expands and updates previous restrictions with the central argument of strengthening national security and improving immigration controls in a context that the White House describes as increasing risk.
The decree establishes new total and partial bans, changes the scope of the bans already in force and introduces stricter criteria for issuing visas. One of the most sensitive points in the text is this Entry restriction for persons holding documents issued by the Palestinian Authoritya decision that Washington links to the impossibility of conducting reliable verifications in areas with limited control or crossed by armed conflict.
The proclamation ratifies the complete suspension of entry and issuance of visas for citizens of twelve countries considered “high-risk countries”. They stay in this group Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemenamong other things. Absolute limits for have now been added to this list Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syriaas described in the official White House document.
In addition, the US government extended full restrictions to Laos and Sierra Leone, which previously imposed partial restrictions. According to the text, the decision is based on the high number of irregular stays and the lack of cooperation between these countries in accepting the return of deportable citizens.
At the partial restrictions level, fifteen additional countries were included, mostly from Africa and Oceania, such as Angola, Benin, Gabon, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In these cases, access is limited to certain nonimmigrant visas, including tourism, student and business visas.
The regulations also provide for partial controls for citizens Burundi, Cuba, Togo and Venezuela. In all cases, the White House emphasizes that the goal is to prevent the entry of people about whom the United States does not have sufficient information to assess possible risks. “It is up to the President to ensure that those seeking to enter our country do not pose a threat to the American people,” the official text says.
AMERICA FIRST SAFETY 🇺🇸
President Donald J. Trump just signed a new proclamation strengthening our borders and national security through data-driven restrictions on high-risk countries with serious deficiencies in controls and vetting. pic.twitter.com/DZmqpkerKb
– The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 16, 2025
Department of Homeland Security reports cited in the proclamation indicate high demurrage fines and repeated refusals by some governments to accept their deported citizens. The document warns that these practices place additional strain on immigration enforcement resources and reflect systematic noncompliance with U.S. laws.
The White House emphasizes that the strategy responds to international dynamics characterized by Presence of armed groups, terrorist networks, political instability and weak civilian registration systems. The proclamation also mentions citizenship through investment programs and practices that make identity verification difficult or allow the circumvention of international controls.
The decree provides for specific exceptions Permanent residents, holders of previously issued visas, diplomats, athletes and persons entering for reasons of national interest. Special cases are subject to individual assessment. In addition, the scope of some family visas will be adjusted, with the argument to reduce the risk of fraud.
The State Department and the Department of Homeland Security will regularly review the level of cooperation between the affected countries. The Trump administration assumed restrictions could be expanded or reduced depending on risk and information sharing, consistent with a policy it defines as key to ensuring secure borders.
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