Trump Imposes Sweeping Travel Ban on 7 New Nations, Citing Security Risks

• Donald Trump's government extends travel ban to 7 new countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, and Sierra Leone, effective January 1, 2026.
• Full restrictions also apply to individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestine Authority.
• The White House cites weak security checks, increased visa overstays, lack of proper ID verification, and terrorist threats as reasons.
• Visas for tourism, employment, and study will be suspended, impacting universities and multinational corporations; family-based visas also face difficulties.
• Human rights organizations are outraged, calling it the strictest travel restriction in American history, while the government prioritizes national security.

Why It Matters: Trump's new travel ban on 7 nations, effective 2026, sparks controversy over national security.