President Donald J. Trump has signed a new proclamation expanding U.S. entry restrictions, placing The Gambia among 15 countries facing partial visa suspensions due to high rates of visa overstay and failure to repatriate removable nationals.
The measures suspend entry for Gambian nationals as immigrants and on key non-immigrant visas, including B-1/B-2 (business/tourism), F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor). Consular officers are also directed to reduce validity periods for any other non-immigrant visas issued to Gambians to the maximum extent allowed by law.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s latest Entry/Exit Overstay Report, The Gambia recorded a 12.70% overstay rate for B-1/B-2 visas and a significantly higher 38.79% for F, M, and J categories—one of the highest student/exchange overstay figures cited. The proclamation further notes The Gambia’s historical refusal to accept repatriated citizens ordered removed from the U.S.
This builds on earlier Trump-era policies addressing national security, vetting deficiencies, and immigration compliance. Similar partial restrictions apply to countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania, while full bans remain in place for others, including Iran and Somalia. Exceptions exist for diplomats, certain family reunifications, and case-by-case waivers.
The restrictions aim to encourage cooperation on information-sharing and deportations, with provisions for reversal upon improvement.
