Tanzania and Uganda Among 36 Countries on New U.S. Travel Ban Watchlist

Tanzania and Uganda have been listed among 36 countries that could soon face new travel restrictions to the United States. This is part of a plan by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to expand its immigration crackdown.

According to an internal U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters, the countries on the list have been flagged over issues like poor cooperation with U.S. authorities, failure to take back deported citizens and weak passport or identity systems. In some cases, U.S. officials also raised concerns about visa overstays and links to security threats.

The document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gives the countries 60 days to take corrective action. If they fail to meet certain benchmarks, they risk being hit with either a full or partial travel ban.

The full list includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

This would mark a major expansion of the travel restrictions already in place. Earlier this month, Trump signed a proclamation blocking entry from 12 countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, all on grounds of national security.

In addition, entry from seven other countries, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, has already been partially restricted.

A senior State Department official said the U.S. will continue reviewing its immigration and visa policies to ensure the safety of Americans and to make sure international visitors comply with the law.