Noem Says US Travel Ban to Expand to Over 30 Countries

The homeland security chief blamed asylum backlogs on Biden-era policies and linked the expanded ban to vetting concerns and unstable foreign governments.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks at the Citadel Patriot Dinner at the Citadel in Charleston, S.C., on Nov. 6, 2025. Alex Brandon/AFP via Getty Images

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Dec. 4 that the Trump administration is looking to increase the number of countries subject to the U.S. travel ban to more than 30.

The United States currently imposes full or partial suspensions of entry on nationals from 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, Iran, Cuba, Somalia, Libya, Laos, Burma (also known as Myanmar), and Sudan.