On December 16, 2025, President Trump significantly expanded the U.S. travel ban, adding many new countries and tightening restrictions. Effective January 1, 2026, the expanded ban built on the June 2025 order — which had applied to 19 countries — and now imposes full or partial entry restrictions on nationals from more than 40 countries.

The ban significantly reduces legal immigration and temporary visitation from nationals from affected counties as it applies to both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Exceptions continue to exist for lawful permanent residents, dual nationals, applicants with certain visas (A-1 and -2; C-2 and -3; G-1 through -4; or NATO-1 through -6), athletes traveling for the World Cup or Olympics, and exceptions in the national interest.

Published by
Palmer Polaski PC

Recent Posts

Changes to Naturalization Test

USCIS began using the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test for all applications filed on or after…

3 weeks ago

USCIS Flexibility Regarding Late-Filed Employment-Based Petitions

The government shutdown that recently ended was the longest in U.S. history. During that time,…

4 weeks ago

State of Habeas Litigation

The Trump administration drastically changed its interpretation of immigration law as it relates to the…

1 month ago

BIA Ruling Alters Handling of Asylum Cases

Asylum Cooperative Agreements On October 31, 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued Matter…

1 month ago

Understanding the Asylum and Benefits “Pause”

On December 2, 2025, the Trump administration placed an indefinite hold on all asylum applications…

2 months ago

New DHS Rule Ends Automatic EAD Extensions

Effective October 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced an interim final rule ending…

2 months ago