Trump issues new U.S. travel restrictions affecting 38 countries, places Nigeria under partial visa suspension

The United States President Donald J. Trump has issued a presidential proclamation imposing entry restrictions on nationals of 38 countries, citing deficiencies in screening, vetting, identity management, and information-sharing that the administration says pose risks to U.S. national security and public safety.

The proclamation, titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026.

The action follows a review conducted by the Secretary of State, Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, as directed under earlier executive actions reinstated at the beginning of President Trump’s second term.

Countries Subject to Full Entry Suspension

The proclamation continues or imposes full suspension of entry for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for nationals of the following 19 countries:

Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria.

In addition, the proclamation fully suspends entry for individuals seeking to travel on travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, citing compromised vetting conditions. This restriction applies to documents, not a sovereign state.

Nigeria is listed among 19 countries subject to partial entry restrictions, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.

Under the proclamation, nationals of Nigeria are suspended from receiving immigrant visas, as well as nonimmigrant visas in the B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories. Other nonimmigrant visas may still be issued, but U.S. consular officers are instructed to reduce visa validity periods where such is permitted by law.

The proclamation references the presence of designated terrorist organizations operating in parts of Nigeria and cites U.S. Department of Homeland Security overstay data indicating a 5.56 percent overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visas and an 11.90 percent overstay rate for F, M, and J visas.

Legal Authority and Rationale
President Trump invoked Sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorize the President to restrict the entry of foreign nationals whose admission is deemed detrimental to U.S. interests. The proclamation notes that similar restrictions imposed during Trump’s first administration were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The administration argues that poor civil documentation, unreliable criminal records, corruption, limited territorial control in some countries, and weaknesses in information-sharing systems prevent U.S. authorities from making reliable admissibility determinations.

Exceptions and Waivers
The restrictions do not apply to:

• Lawful permanent residents of the United States
• Dual nationals traveling on passports issued by non-restricted countries
• Diplomats and officials traveling on A, G, NATO, or related visas
• Athletes and essential personnel participating in major international sporting events
• Certain Special Immigrant Visa holders tied to U.S. government service
• Individuals granted case-by-case national-interest exceptions

The proclamation also states that it does not revoke visas issued before the effective date, nor does it bar individuals who have already been granted asylum or refugee status.

The proclamation mandates a review every 180 days, allowing restrictions to be continued, modified, or lifted based on changes in country-specific conditions and cooperation with U.S. screening and vetting requirements.

This report is published by Newspot Nigeria, committed to accurate, policy-driven coverage of global affairs and international governance.