The United States is contemplating a significant expansion of its travel restrictions, potentially impacting Nigeria alongside 35 other countries, primarily from Africa. This move follows an internal memorandum reviewed by The Washington Post, which outlines the possibility of imposing visa bans or other constraints on a diverse group of nations, including key U.S. partners like Egypt and Djibouti.

According to the memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a total of 36 countries could soon face new entry requirements set by the State Department. Affected nations will be given a 60-day window to comply with these new regulations, which are intended to enhance security and address various concerns regarding immigration processes.

The list, predominantly featuring 25 African nations, includes:
– Nigeria
– Angola
– Benin
– Burkina Faso
– Cabo Verde
– Cameroon
– Côte d’Ivoire
– Democratic Republic of the Congo
– Djibouti
– Ethiopia
– Egypt
– Gabon
– Gambia
– Ghana
– Liberia
– Malawi
– Mauritania
– Niger
– Sao Tome and Principe
– Senegal
– South Sudan
– Tanzania
– Uganda
– Zambia
– Zimbabwe

In addition to the African countries, the proposed restrictions would also apply to several nations in the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific Islands, such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

As part of the process, these countries are expected to submit an initial action plan to the State Department by Wednesday, outlining how they intend to meet the new requirements.

The recent discussions around the travel ban mark a notable shift in U.S. immigration policy since President Donald Trump assumed office. Earlier this year, Trump had proposed a ban on 43 countries, but Nigeria was not initially included in that consideration. The countries were categorized into three groups, with varying levels of restrictions based on the perceived risks.

In June, Trump signed an executive order imposing a complete travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Chad, and Yemen, among others. The administration’s focus on tightening immigration policies has led to hundreds of deportations and an increase in scrutiny for individuals seeking entry into the U.S.

As deliberations within the State Department continue, the potential restrictions on Nigeria and these other countries could further reshape the landscape of U.S. immigration policy, prompting concerns among diplomatic circles and human rights advocates.