The Trump administration is reportedly mulling over a new set of sweeping travel restrictions targeting citizens of dozens of countries, including Gambia, as part of a proposed travel ban. According to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo obtained by Reuters, the policy echoes the controversial travel ban from Trump’s first term, which initially targeted seven majority-Muslim nations.
The draft proposal, still under review, outlines a tiered approach to restrictions, with Gambia listed among nations potentially facing partial visa suspensions. Other countries recommended for partial suspension if they fail to address unspecified deficiencies include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, and Burkina Faso. The memo does not elaborate on the specific deficiencies prompting these recommendations, but it suggests that affected countries could face tighter scrutiny or limited travel privileges to the United States unless compliance is met.
The potential inclusion of the Gambia and other African nations in the travel restrictions has raised eyebrows, given the continent’s diverse political and security landscape. While the administration has not publicly detailed its rationale, analysts speculate that the move could be tied to concerns over vetting processes, national security, or immigration policy priorities central to Trump’s second-term agenda.
This development follows reports from outlets like The New York Times which indicate the administration is considering restrictions on up to 43 countries, divided into three tiers of severity. Gambia’s placement in the partial suspension category suggests it may avoid the outright visa bans proposed for nations like Iran, North Korea, and Syria, but its citizens could still face significant hurdles in traveling to the U.S.
