President Donald Trump’s administration has given 36 countries, most of them in Africa, a Wednesday deadline to commit to improving vetting of travelers or face a ban on their citizens visiting the United States.
A diplomatic cable sent over the weekend by the State Department directs U.S. embassies and consulates in the affected nations to gauge their willingness to enhance passport and visa documentation processes.
The cable instructs those governments to respond by 8 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, signaling that they must outline plans to address U.S. concerns within 60 days or risk being added to the travel ban.
To date, the administration has banned new visas from 12 countries and imposed heightened restrictions on seven others, citing national security risks tied to visa overstays and insufficient screening.
Of the 36 nations under scrutiny, 25 are in Africa, while the remainder span the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said the United States wants these countries to “change the system, update it” in order to restore trust in their vetting processes.
Bruce confirmed that Washington is seeking stronger assurances on passport security, cooperation on deportation of nationals, and measures to ensure that travel to the U.S. does not pose a threat.
It remains unclear whether countries that demonstrate progress but ultimately fall short of benchmarks will escape penalties.
Some traditional U.S. partners appear on the list, including Egypt, Djibouti, Nigeria, Liberia, and Ethiopia, alongside unexpected additions such as Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Responses have been mixed: Chad has threatened reciprocal measures, while Somalia has pledged to strengthen its security protocols.
This latest move underscores the Trump administration’s broader push to tighten immigration controls and reinforce national security through stricter travel vetting.
The world now watches as the 60-day clock begins to tick on whether these nations will heed Washington’s ultimatum—or join the growing roster of U.S. travel restrictions.
