President Donald Trump’s expanded travel ban officially went into effect on January 1, 2026, introducing new restrictions on entry into the United States for citizens of dozens of countries. The policy stems from an executive proclamation signed in mid-December and significantly broadens earlier travel limitations, with the administration citing national security concerns as the primary reason for the expansion.
The new policy affects travelers from a total of 39 countries. Some nations face a complete suspension of entry into the United States, while others are subject to partial restrictions that limit specific visa categories. In addition, individuals attempting to enter the U.S. using travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority are now barred unless they qualify for narrowly defined exemptions.
For countries placed under full entry restrictions, both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are suspended unless travelers meet strict exemption criteria. Citizens from these countries who were outside the United States when the ban took effect and do not already hold valid visas are generally prohibited from entering. The administration says these nations were selected based on factors such as inadequate identity verification systems, high visa overstay rates, or an inability to share security-related information with U.S. authorities.
Other countries are subject to partial restrictions that primarily impact immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories, including visitor, student, and exchange visas. Some limited visa classifications may still be permitted, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the issuing authority’s discretion.
The proclamation outlines several exemptions to the ban. Lawful permanent residents of the United States are not affected, nor are dual citizens traveling on a passport from a country not included in the ban. Additional exemptions apply to diplomatic visa holders, individuals whose entry is deemed to be in the national interest, and select athletes and support staff participating in major international sporting events.
The Trump administration maintains that the expanded travel ban is designed to protect U.S. citizens by preventing entry when officials lack sufficient information to properly screen travelers. Supporters argue the policy strengthens border security, while critics contend it unfairly targets certain nations and disrupts families, education, and humanitarian pathways.
Source:
“President Trump’s New Travel Ban Now in Effect” — MSN
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/president-trump-s-new-travel-ban-now-in-effect/ar-AA1Tt9Cd
