President Donald Trump announced on December 16, 2025, a significant expansion of U.S. travel restrictions, adding full entry bans for citizens of five countries—Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria—as well as individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority (PA)-issued or endorsed documents.
This brings the total number of countries with full or partial restrictions to around 35-39, depending on reporting, building on an initial list of 12-19 countries reinstated or added earlier in 2025.
Breaking News: Trump Expands US Travel Ban to Include Syria and Palestinian Authority Documents
The decree does not recognize “Palestine” as a state (consistent with U.S. policy) but targets PA documents due to vetting concerns.
Key Reasons Cited by the Administration
- Palestinian Authority Documents: Active U.S.-designated terrorist groups in the West Bank and Gaza have murdered American citizens; recent conflicts have compromised screening abilities; weak PA control over territories.
- Syria: Lacks adequate central authority for passports/civil documents and proper vetting measures, despite ongoing U.S. coordination on security.
- Broader context: National security, high visa overstay rates, and response to recent incidents (e.g., attacks on U.S. personnel).
Exceptions include lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, and cases serving U.S. national interests.
Background
This expands the President’s revived travel ban policy from June 2025, echoing his first-term restrictions (upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018). It follows a “permanent pause” on migration from certain regions after a shooting incident involving National Guard troops.
Reactions
- Critics: Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI, Palestinian-American) called it “racist cruelty,” accusing the administration of targeting Muslim-majority and African countries, including Palestinians “fleeing a genocide.”
- Supporters: DNI Tulsi Gabbard praised the focus on border security and countering Islamist threats; Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) used strong rhetoric against perceived risks.
- Historical protests against similar bans highlight potential backlash.
The move intensifies the President’s immigration crackdown, with potential legal challenges ahead.
References
- [¹] Al Jazeera – “Trump expands US travel ban to include Syria, Palestine” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [²] Reuters – “Trump adds seven countries, including Syria, to full travel ban list” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [³] White House Fact Sheet – “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁴] Axios – “expands travel ban to Syrians, Palestinians and others” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁵] USA Today – “expands travel ban, adds Syria and Palestinians: See the full list” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁶] The Guardian – “signs order to further restrict entry of foreign nationals to US” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁷] NBC News – “expands travel ban, adding 5 more countries and imposing new limits on others” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁸] The New York Times – “Trump Expands Travel Ban and Restrictions to 20 More Countries” (Dec 16, 2025)
- [⁹] CNN – “Trump administration expands travel ban list to 39 countries” (Dec 16, 2025)
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