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Trump demands action from 36 countries to avoid travel ban
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has given 36 countries, most of them in Africa, a Wednesday deadline to commit to improve vetting of travelers or face a ban on their citizens visiting the United States.
A weekend diplomatic cable sent by the State Department instructs embassies and consulates in the 36 countries to gauge their host countries’ willingness by Wednesday to improve their citizens’ travel documentation and take steps to address the status of their nationals who are in the United States illegally.
The cable, which was described to The Associated Press, asks the countries to take action to address the U.S. concerns within 60 days or risk being added to the current travel ban, which now includes 12 nations. Of the 36 new countries targeted, 25 are in Africa.
It is the latest step by the Trump administration to crack down on those who overstay their visas and tying U.S. entries from certain countries to potential national security risks. Trump has said some countries have “deficient” screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their own citizens. Some countries condemned the travel restrictions and vowed reciprocal actions, while some resettlement groups say the ban sows division.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce declined to comment on the specifics in the cable, which was first reported by The Washington Post. She confirmed that the administration wanted nations to improve their own vetting processes for passport holders, accept their nationals deported from the U.S. and take other steps to ensure their citizens are not a threat to the U.S.
“We’re looking at providing a period of time, (where if countries) don’t get to that point where we can trust them and they’ve got to change the system, update it, do whatever they need to do to convince us that we can trust the process and the information they have,” she said.
It was not immediately clear if the ban would be imposed on countries that commit to making improvements and are making progress in addressing them but fail to meet the benchmarks within 60 days.
The list includes some countries that have been traditional U.S. partners, including Egypt and Djibouti, both of which have military relationships with United States, and others that long been friendly with the U.S., including Liberia, Nigeria and Ethiopia. Syria, which was left off the initial travel ban, as was Congo, are both on the new list.
South Sudan is already subject to a separate travel ban imposed by the State Department, which has revoked the visas of most South Sudanese already in the U.S.
President Donald Trump this month enacted a travel ban on 12 countries and imposed restrictions on seven others, although no previously issued visas have been revoked. His proclamation instead banned issuing new visas to citizens of the 12 countries.
That ban included Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Heightened visa restrictions will apply to citizens of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
The 36 countries identified in the new cable are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The wildlife season is just around the corner, and we are excited about that. But this time, we are not here for that. For nature lovers, India’s diverse landscapes do not disappoint. Here we are looking at experiences beyond wildlife safaris, from lush valleys to serene backwaters. The winter months will provide perfect weather for exploring the outdoors. Here are eight exceptional nature trips across India to plan before the year ends.
Mawlynnong, Meghalaya
From Shillong Airport, Mawlynnong is located just 90 km. Also known as Asia’s cleanest village, Mawlynnong’s forests, waterfalls, and living root bridges are some of the best things you will experience in Northeast India. Not to forget, winter is the time when Dawki River (located just 30 km from Mawlynnong) is at it’s best form. Crystal clear water of Dawki River will leave you mesmerised. When in Mawlynnong, stay in village guesthouses. They are budget-friendly, and will let you have authentic traditional stay experience.
Dandeli, Karnataka
Located just 125 km from Goa Airport, Dandeli is nestled in the Western Ghats’ foothills. Its dense forests and Kali River offer adventure and serenity. Its flat terrain and riverine landscape are photogenic, perfect for the ‘gram.’ If you can, take out time to go rafting on the Kali River, or trek to Kavala Caves.Bhitarkanika National Park, OdishaLocated just 150 km from Bhubaneswar Airport, this mangrove ecosystem and wetland, spans 672 sq km. It offers serene boat rides through creeks and sightings of crocodiles and migratory birds. Bhitarkanika is a beautiful mix of wildlife and offbeat travel. Cruise through mangroves, spot estuarine crocodiles, or visit the Olive Ridley turtle nesting site at Gahirmatha.Gokarna, KarnatakaGokarna is located approximately 150 km from Goa Airport. It’s a quieter alternative to Goa. Gokarna’s pristine beaches and coastal cliffs offer a laid-back nature escape, far from the hustle and bustle of an over-crowded (and expensive) tourist trap. Here’s what to do in Gokarna: Relax on Om Beach, trek to Kudle Beach, or visit Half Moon Beach for solitude. The Mahabaleshwar Temple is a beautiful addition to your serene coastal holiday.
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New Delhi: For the first time since 2001, excluding the Covid-19 years, the number of Indians visiting the United States has fallen as 2.1 lakh Indians travelled there in June 2025, which is an 8 per cent drop compared to 2.3 lakh in the same month last year, according to the US Commerce Department’s National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO).
The downward trend seems to be continuing in July as well, with provisional data showing a 5.5 per cent decline compared to July 2024.
This slowdown is part of a broader global trend. NTTO data shows that overall international arrivals to the US also fell, with a 6.2 per cent drop in June, 7 per cent in May, 8 per cent in March, and 1.9 per cent in February.
Only January and April saw increases of 4.7 per cent and 1.3 per cent, respectively.
India continues to be the fourth largest source of international visitors to the US. Since Canada and Mexico share land borders with America, India ranks as the second largest overseas market after the UK, followed by Brazil in fifth place.
Together, these five countries contributed nearly 60 per cent of all international arrivals to the US in June.
Traditionally, Indian travellers to the US include students, business professionals, and those visiting friends and relatives.
Leisure travel to America has always been less popular compared to destinations like Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
The current slowdown is being seen most clearly among students, though experts believe that business and family visits could also be affected if visa delays and constraints continue.
The Indian diaspora in the US is strong, with over 50 lakh people, which has generally ensured a steady flow of travel.
In fact, NTTO data shows that every June since 2001 had recorded higher numbers than the year before — until now.
April this year had been a positive month for Indian travellers overall, with 29 lakh people flying abroad.
The UAE was the top destination, followed by Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Singapore, and the US.
(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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