Washington, DC — The United States is weighing a significant expansion of its travel restrictions after the Homeland Security Secretary, , called for bans on additional countries that she claims are contributing to rising criminal activity.
In a social-media post on Monday, Noem said she had met with President and agreed to recommend what she described as “a full travel ban” on nations that are exporting instability into the United States. Her remarks were later shared through official government channels, including accounts affiliated with the , signalling that the proposal is under active discussion within the administration.
Expansion of existing restrictions
The White House confirmed that any new measures would build on existing travel restrictions that have been in place since June. The current list contains 19 countries — primarily in Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean — subject to full or partial entry bans for their nationals.
Senior officials have indicated that the number of affected countries could rise to approximately 30, although no formal list has yet been released and no timeline has been announced.
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Shooting brings immigration to the fore
Noem’s intervention comes days after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, DC, an attack that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and left Andrew Wolfe, 24, seriously injured.
Law-enforcement agencies identified the suspect as an Afghan national who entered the United States in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome, the evacuation scheme established as American forces withdrew from Afghanistan.
The attack has intensified political pressure for greater scrutiny of refugee and asylum programmes, particularly those created during the Biden administration to assist Afghans who had worked alongside US military personnel.
Asylum system frozen nationwide
In a dramatic escalation following the shooting, federal authorities confirmed this week that asylum processing has been halted nationwide.
The head of US Citizenship and Immigration Services said the pause would remain in effect “until every applicant is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible”. A separate review has also been launched into thousands of green cards already granted to migrants from countries currently subject to travel restrictions.
Immigration advocates have warned the freeze could leave tens of thousands of vulnerable people in limbo while their cases are suspended without clear guidance or timelines.
Trump sharpens rhetoric on migration
President Trump has taken an increasingly hard-line stance in recent weeks, pledging to permanently halt migration from what he has called “failed states”, and repeating his commitment to mass deportations and lower refugee admissions.
In a Thanksgiving message posted online, he blamed refugee resettlement for what he described as “social dysfunction”, and said the administration would remove migrants who were “not a net positive” to the economy.
Warnings from the international community
The response from abroad was swift. The United Nations has urged Washington to honour its international commitments on asylum and refugee protection, cautioning that nationality-based immigration policies risk violating long-standing international principles.
The Afghan Community Coalition of the United States also issued a statement expressing sympathy for the families of the victims while urging the government not to use one crime to justify sweeping restrictions against an entire population.
“Twenty years of Afghan–US partnership must not be forgotten,” the group said. “We ask policymakers to remember those who risked everything to support American forces.”
Why this matters
The announcement marks one of the sharpest swings in US immigration policy in years. If implemented, the travel ban could affect families with approved visas, refugee applicants midway through processing, and citizens with relatives abroad — well before any law formally changes. For migrants already in the system, the freeze on asylum decisions could result in months of uncertainty, even for those who meet legal requirements.
Uncertain road ahead
With details still emerging, the administration now faces legal, humanitarian and diplomatic challenges. Previous travel bans imposed during Trump’s earlier presidency were met with court battles and international condemnation — and observers expect similar clashes if the latest proposal moves forward.
For now, families, aid workers and international partners remain in the dark as they await clarification on who may be affected — and when.
Authoritative source: For further developments, see reporting from Reuters – US Politics.
This report is based on independent confirmation from major international news agencies.
