Trump Adds Nigeria to List of Countries Facing US Entry Restrictions Over Security Concerns

Trump Adds Nigeria to List of Countries Facing US Entry Restrictions Over Security Concerns

President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a Proclamation further restricting entry to the United States for nationals from countries identified as high-risk due to “persistent and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that threaten U.S. national security and public safety. Nigeria is now included among 15 additional countries newly subject to partial travel restrictions.

The announcement, published on the White House website in a fact sheet titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”, outlines the rationale for the move. It comes after Trump previously declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” on October 31, 2025, citing alleged persecution of Christians.

The Proclamation maintains full restrictions on nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries—Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen—and adds five more: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. Countries previously under partial restrictions, Laos and Sierra Leone, now face full restrictions.

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The 15 newly restricted countries, including Nigeria, Angola, Senegal, Tanzania, Benin, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, are subject to partial limitations, with exceptions for lawful permanent residents, visa holders, diplomats, athletes, and individuals serving U.S. national interests. Case-by-case waivers remain possible.

The White House fact sheet emphasized that the measure is aimed at preventing the entry of foreign nationals for whom the U.S. lacks sufficient information to assess security risks, ensure cooperation from foreign governments, enforce immigration laws, and support national security and counterterrorism objectives.

Trump was quoted saying, “It is the President’s duty to take action to ensure that those seeking to enter our country will not harm the American people.” The proclamation reflects ongoing efforts to restore travel restrictions on countries deemed a threat to American security and encourage compliance with vetting standards.

The fact sheet also highlighted specific challenges, including fraudulent or unreliable civil documents, high visa-overstay rates, terrorist activity, and non-cooperation with U.S. authorities, as reasons for country-specific restrictions. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan, previously restricted, has improved cooperation, resulting in partial lifting of its visa ban.

This latest travel restriction Proclamation underscores the Trump administration’s focus on border security, national safety, and stringent immigration vetting.

Trump Adds Nigeria to List of Countries Facing US Entry Restrictions Over Security Concerns