By Levin Kiprop
United States President Donald Trump has added Tanzania and Uganda to a growing list of countries under review for potential travel restrictions, as part of an expanded immigration crackdown introduced at the start of his second term in office.
Earlier this month, Trump signed a presidential proclamation that barred entry for citizens of 12 countries, citing the need to protect the U.S. against "foreign terrorists" and national security threats. Now, dozens more countries—mostly in Africa and Asia—could face similar bans if they do not meet specific U.S. security and cooperation benchmarks within the next 60 days.
In an internal diplomatic cable signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and circulated over the weekend, the U.S. State Department identified 36 countries of concern. The memo outlines several issues ranging from the failure to produce secure and verifiable identity documents, to a lack of cooperation in deporting nationals ordered removed from the U.S.
Among the flagged concerns were “questionable security features” on passports, high visa overstay rates, and reports of nationals from some countries being involved in terrorism or anti-American activity on U.S. soil.
"The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days," the cable stated.
A senior State Department official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the ongoing internal evaluations but declined to comment on specific countries, saying only: “We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws.”
Countries now on the watchlist include: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, among others.
If enforced, the expanded directive would mark one of the most sweeping U.S. immigration restrictions in recent history, building on Trump’s earlier ban, which targeted citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and others.
The Trump administration maintains that the move is not discriminatory, but rather a necessary national security measure. Critics, however, argue that the policy disproportionately targets African and Muslim-majority countries.
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