The debate over immigration and national security in the United States has reached another turning point. Recent events have pushed the US Travel Ban back into national focus, sparking fresh concerns, political reactions, and major policy shifts that could affect millions worldwide.
A Bigger US Travel Ban List May Be Coming
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has recommended expanding the US Travel Ban list from its current 19 countries to as many as 30 to 32 nations, as CNN reports. While the administration hasn’t revealed which countries might be added, the proposal represents one of the largest expansions to date.
Nationals from countries on this list face full or partial restrictions when entering the United States. According to officials, the list could grow even further as new assessments are made.
This recommendation comes on the heels of a devastating shooting in Washington, D.C., where one National Guard member was killed and another critically injured. The suspect — an Afghan national — has intensified political calls for tighter travel and immigration controls.
Noem’s Push for a “Full Travel Ban”
After meeting with President Donald Trump, Noem didn’t mince words. She urged a “full travel ban” on “every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
The current travel ban already 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 that past administrations have flagged for inadequate security screening or failure to cooperate on repatriations.
Reexamining Green Cards and Immigration Requests
Alongside expanded U.S. travel Ban proposals, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now reviewing all green cards issued to people from the 19 countries already under restrictions.
USCIS Director Joe Edlow announced that officers will be allowed to treat country-specific factors as significant negative elements, giving more weight than ever to an applicant’s country of origin.
Edlow argues that these steps are necessary to restore what he says were weakened vetting standards over the last four years.
A Nationwide Pause on Asylum Decisions
In another significant shift, USCIS has paused all asylum decisions, with officers instructed not to approve, deny, or close any pending cases. This freeze affects individuals who fear persecution in their home countries based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group.
President Trump has said this pause could last “a long time,” underscoring a broader push to reduce both legal and unauthorized immigration.
Afghan Visas Come to an Abrupt Halt
Perhaps the most dramatic development is the new pause on all visa issuances to Afghan nationals. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the halt, framing it as a necessary step for national security following the D.C. attack.
This move effectively freezes the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program — a lifeline for Afghan interpreters and allies who supported U.S. forces during the war. Nearly 200,000 Afghans have been admitted since 2021 under various humanitarian pathways, all of whom underwent layers of rigorous vetting.
Now, thousands who were awaiting safety and stability may find themselves stuck in limbo.
Strengthening Vetting Under the US Travel Ban Policy
USCIS also released new guidance tied to Presidential Proclamation 10949, further strengthening background checks for nationals of so-called “high-risk” countries.
Officers may now weigh factors like:
- A country’s ability to issue secure identity documents
- Public-safety concerns related to specific regions
- Terrorism or organized crime risks
The guidance applies to all immigration requests filed on or after November 27, 2025.
The US Travel Ban at a Crossroads
With the nation shaken by violence and the political climate running hot, the future of the US Travel Ban looks poised for expansion. Whether these measures will enhance safety or create long-term challenges for families, allies, and refugees remains a pressing question.
What is clear is that the United States is entering a new chapter in its immigration policy — one defined by heightened scrutiny, broader restrictions, and rising uncertainty for those seeking a pathway to the country.