Laos is now among seven countries newly subjected to a full U.S. travel ban, following an announcement by President Donald Trump expanding entry restrictions.
The announcement, made on 16 December, a significant escalation from earlier December, when Laos was affected by a temporary U.S. immigration processing freeze that delayed green card, citizenship, and asylum applications.
Under the new order, Laos has moved from being under “partial restrictions” to “full restrictions.” The U.S. cited Laos’ high overstay rate and its previous lack of cooperation in repatriating its citizens as reasons for the upgrade to a full ban.
Africa’s Sierra Leone was also moved from partial restrictions to a full travel ban.
In addition to Laos and Sierra Leone, the full ban now applies to Syria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and South Sudan. Palestinian Authority passport holders are also restricted from entering the United States, as part of measures described by Washington as necessary for national security.
The new announcement will take effect in January 2026.
With this latest expansion, the total number of countries under a full U.S. travel ban rises to 20. Earlier in June, President Trump had signed a travel ban targeting 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Trump has long made a hardline stance on immigration a signature policy, frequently emphasizing deportations and limiting entry for certain nationalities. The White House proclamation stated that the bans target foreigners who “intend to threaten” Americans or who might “undermine or destabilize U.S. culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.”
Partial Restrictions
In addition to full bans, partial travel restrictions have been imposed on citizens of other African nations, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Angola, Benin, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, as well as Caribbean nations such as Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, and the Polynesian country of Tonga.
With these new additions, 20 countries are now under partial restrictions, up from five previously, while Laos and Sierra Leone were moved to full bans.
Altogether, nearly 40 countries now face U.S. entry restrictions based solely on nationality, with tightened rules affecting even routine travel from Western nations.


