US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Thursday that the Trump administration is preparing to significantly widen its current travel ban, expanding the restricted list from 19 countries to more than 30. Noem confirmed the upcoming expansion in a televised interview, saying the president is “continuing to evaluate countries” as part of a broader tightening of immigration controls.
Her remarks follow a recent meeting with President Trump, after which she publicly urged a “full travel ban” on nations she claimed were sending “killers” and “leeches” to the United States rhetoric that immediately drew strong criticism from civil rights groups and immigrant advocates. The administration’s move comes amid heightened political pressure following a deadly shooting in Washington, DC, involving a suspect reported to be an Afghan national admitted under an earlier resettlement programme.
Administration Signals a Major Policy Shift
The White House issued a proclamation earlier this year naming 19 countries largely from Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean for full or partial immigration restrictions. The proposed expansion to over 30 nations marks one of the most sweeping travel-control measures undertaken by the Trump administration since returning to office.
Noem confirmed that DHS is conducting a broad review of vetting procedures for migrants who entered under previous policies, saying the department must ensure that “every individual entering the country is properly screened.” Officials say the review focuses particularly on nationals from countries already included in the existing travel ban.
President Trump has recently escalated his statements on immigration, declaring that he intends to “permanently pause migration from poor countries” and deport “millions” of people currently living legally in the United States. He argued that immigrants are contributing to crime, rising housing costs and what he described as deepening “social dysfunction.” Critics counter that the administration is weaponising isolated incidents to justify discriminatory policies.
Political Backlash and National Security Debate
Lawmakers and advocacy groups reacted swiftly to Thursday’s announcement, warning that expanding the travel ban risks undermining diplomatic relations and punishing millions of innocent people. Immigration experts have also raised questions about the criteria used to label nations as security risks, noting that similar policies in the past produced little evidence of improved safety outcomes.
But supporters of the administration insist the move is necessary, pointing to what they describe as gaps in screening procedures and rising threats from transnational criminal networks. They argue that restricting travel from high-risk areas provides critical time for intelligence agencies to strengthen vetting systems.
The debate is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as the administration finalises the expanded list. The revised travel ban is anticipated to target additional regions in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East, though DHS has not released names or provided a timeline for implementation. Until then, uncertainty remains for thousands of families, students and workers who could be affected by the sweeping policy change.