Why Washington perceives these 19 countries as national security "threats"

US President Donald Trump vowed on November 28 to “permanently pause” all migration from “third world countries,” escalating his rhetoric after two National Guard members were shot in Washington, DC where one guardsman was killed. The primary suspect is an Afghan national who received asylum after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Prior to arriving in the United States, he had worked with a CIA-backed organization and with US forces in his home country.

Two days after the attack, the State Department halted the issuance of new Afghan visas. Trump then ordered a review of existing green cards held by citizens from the nineteen countries covered by his travel restrictions. His initial ban in June cited national security concerns and barred citizens of twelve countries while imposing travel limits on nationals from seven others.

Trump argued at the time that some governments had “deficient” vetting procedures and posed risks of both security threats and visa overstays. He also targeted countries that, according to him, refused to accept US deportees, a point noted in an article published by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

The CFR’s latest analysis outlines the 19 countries currently affected and Washington’s stated reasons for viewing them as security risks.

Afghanistan

Since the Taliban seized power in 2021, human rights abuses in Afghanistan have intensified, particularly against women and girls. Rights groups have detailed arbitrary arrests, disappearances, torture, and censorship. The United States does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government—Russia remains the only country to have done so. Between May 2024 and April 2025, the US granted 37,164 visas to Afghan travellers.

Chad

Relations between Chad and Washington have deteriorated after Sahel countries moved away from Western military partnerships. Chad also has one of the highest visa overstay rates—nearly 50 percent. The United States granted 15,206 visas to travellers from Chad.

Republic of Congo

The US accuses the Republic of Congo of high visa overstays, though the CFR notes that some countries with even higher rates are absent from the ban. Trump has also denounced “the Congo”—a term commonly used for neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo—claiming it has released prisoners into the United States. The US issued 2,163 visas to travellers from Congo.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is targeted for its high overstay rate, though some nations with higher rates are not included in the ban. The country faces widespread human rights concerns. The US issued 754 visas to its citizens.

Eritrea

Washington accuses Eritrea of refusing to provide criminal records of its nationals, rejecting US deportees, and having high overstay rates. Eritrea has been a single-party dictatorship since gaining independence in 1993. In 2023, the US accused Eritrea of war crimes in northern Ethiopia. The US granted 2,723 visas to Eritrean citizens.

Myanmar

Myanmar, referred to in Trump’s proclamation and by the State Department by its former name “Burma”, has been ruled by a military junta during a four-year civil war that has killed more than 75,000 people and displaced over 3 million. A March earthquake caused thousands more civilian deaths. The US issued 15,206 visas to travellers from Myanmar.

Haiti

Gang violence controls more than 80 percent of Haiti’s capital and has displaced over one million people. Climate shocks and natural disasters deepen the instability. In February, Trump said he would end temporary protected status for 500,000 Haitians in the US by August. The US granted 13,051 visas to Haitians.

Iran

Trump’s proclamation labels Iran a state sponsor of terrorism, adding the country amid tense US-Iran disputes over nuclear development. The US issued 23,154 visas to Iranian nationals.

Libya

Libya appears on the list over a “historic terrorist presence” that the White House claims threatens public safety. Washington also says Libya cannot properly issue passports and civil identity documents. The United Nations accuses the Libyan government of crimes against humanity. Civil conflict has also fueled large-scale migration. The US issued 4,030 visas to Libyan citizens.

Somalia

The White House calls Somalia a “terrorist safe haven” run by a government that “lacks command and control of its territory.” Al-Shabaab violence has escalated sharply, with fatalities in 2024 doubling compared to 2020, while millions face “alarming” levels of hunger. After the November shooting, Trump criticized Somali communities in the US, despite CFR noting he acknowledged no connection existed. He claimed Somali citizens are “completely taking over” Minnesota and has threatened to end their temporary protected status.

Sudan

Sudan is engulfed in one of the world’s deadliest wars, with more than two-thirds of the population—over 30 million people—requiring humanitarian assistance. The US has repeatedly failed to broker a ceasefire since 2023. The US issued 8,427 visas to Sudanese travellers.

Yemen

The proclamation notes that Yemen is a site of “active United States military operations,” as Washington continues strikes against Houthi forces, who control large parts of the country and attack ships in the Red Sea. The US issued 14,677 visas to Yemenis.

Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela

These seven countries face partial restrictions, blocking entry through specific visa categories. Visa overstays are cited as the main issue. However, the proclamation labels Cuba a “state sponsor of terrorism” and accuses Venezuela of refusing deportees and lacking “strong central authority” to issue passports.

By Nazrin Sadigova