By iNewsAfrica Correspondent | Washington, D.C. | June 17, 2025
The Trump administration has issued a stark warning to 36 countries—25 of them in Africa—threatening to add them to its expanding travel ban unless they swiftly address alleged security and documentation deficiencies.
In a classified cable sent to U.S. embassies last week and obtained by Reuters and the Associated Press, the U.S. State Department outlined a 60-day deadline for countries to submit action plans aimed at tightening passport security, identity verification processes, and cooperation on deportations.
Countries at risk include Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa, as well as others stretching across West, Central, and East Africa. If the required benchmarks are not met by mid-August, nationals from these countries could face full or partial restrictions from entering the United States.
“This directive is rooted in Executive Order 14161,” said a senior administration official, referring to the Trump order signed in January mandating stricter global vetting standards.
The policy move follows a June 4 presidential proclamation that reinstated a travel ban on 19 countries, reviving a controversial Trump-era program that was widely criticized for targeting Muslim-majority and African nations. That move sparked renewed legal and diplomatic debate over the reach of executive power in immigration matters.
Africa disproportionately affected
Among the 36 nations cited in the new directive, Africa accounts for the majority—including Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. The remaining countries are in Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
U.S. officials claim the nations identified exhibit poor compliance with international travel security standards, are slow to accept deported citizens, or fail to prevent document fraud.
Diplomatic tensions brewing
Several African governments are reportedly scrambling to respond to the ultimatum, with Nigerian and Ghanaian foreign ministries requesting urgent bilateral consultations.
“We are treating this as a matter of utmost urgency,” said a spokesperson from Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Critics, however, view the threat as discriminatory and fear it will strain U.S.–Africa relations at a time when China is deepening its trade and diplomatic ties across the continent.
Legal experts also warn that the plan could spark lawsuits, referencing earlier Supreme Court rulings that narrowly upheld the administration’s authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
What’s next?
Affected nations must submit their action plans by June 18, with full compliance expected within 60 days. If found inadequate, travel restrictions could take effect as early as September 2025.
For many African travelers, students, and families with ties to the U.S., the specter of renewed travel bans is causing deep concern.
Stay with iNewsAfrica for continued coverage on Africa–U.S. diplomatic relations.
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