According to a State Department cable obtained by Reuters, the U.S. is assessing 36 countries that could be subject to “full or partial suspension of entry” if they fail to meet certain security and immigration criteria within 60 days.
The internal document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines a range of concerns tied to national security.
These include inadequate identity documentation, a lack of cooperation in accepting nationals ordered to be deported from the U.S., high levels of visa overstays and activity deemed antisemitic or anti-American.
The cable also notes instances where nationals from some of the countries under review have been linked to terrorism in the U.S.
Twelve countries are already subject to U.S. travel restrictions, originally implemented on national security grounds.
The latest developments indicate that the current administration is looking to significantly widen the scope of those restrictions.
While the list of 36 countries under review has not been made public, U.S. embassies have reportedly been directed to engage with the governments concerned and encourage corrective action within a set timeframe.
Travellers and tourism stakeholders are awaiting further clarification as any changes could affect visa processing and entry permissions for a broad range of nationalities.
