Trump gives Nigeria, 35 others 60 days to meet U.S entry rules or face travel ban

In a sweeping move that is already causing diplomatic ripples across the globe, the Trump administration is reportedly considering a drastic expansion of its immigration ban to include Nigeria and 35 other countries. The decision, if enacted, could see full or partial entry bans imposed on nations that fail to meet a stringent list of U.S. national security requirements within the next 60 days.

An internal memorandum signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines the administration’s growing concerns over what it calls “unacceptable security risks” and systemic failures in identity verification, visa integrity, and anti-terror cooperation by the countries on the list.

According to the document, all 36 countries have until early August to demonstrate clear progress or face entry restrictions that could severely limit visa issuances, refugee resettlements, and student enrollments.

Countries Under Scrutiny

The list includes a wide swath of nations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. Countries like Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Syria, and Egypt are among the most prominent, alongside smaller states such as Tuvalu, Tonga, and Saint Lucia.

In total, the countries targeted for potential restrictions are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Stringent Benchmarks

New Daily Prime gathered that the Trump administration has outlined following benchmarks for compliance, all of which must be met within 60 days to avoid sanctions:

Reliable Identity and Passport Security: Countries must upgrade their passport systems to ensure documents are tamper-resistant and securely issued.
Reduction of Visa Overstays: Nations are required to show a consistent reduction in visa overstay rates, a red flag in prior security assessments.
Cooperation on Deportations: Governments must accept deported nationals expelled from the U.S., something many countries have failed to do consistently.
Visa Application Fraud Control: The U.S. is demanding comprehensive measures to prevent visa fraud, which has been rampant in some listed nations.
Combating Terrorism and Anti-American Sentiment: Evidence of cooperation in addressing terror threats and curbing anti-U.S. actions must be presented.
Action Plan Submission: Each country is mandated to submit a detailed compliance plan within the 60-day window, no exceptions.
Tiered Risk Response: Non-compliance will result in categorization into “yellow” or “red” threat levels, triggering varying degrees of entry restriction.
Third-Country Deportee Cooperation: Some relief may be offered to countries willing to readmit nationals deported from third-party nations.

Diplomatic Fallout and Reactions

The policy is already drawing criticism from human rights organizations and immigration advocates, who see it as an overreach of executive authority and a politically motivated escalation of Trump’s hardlines immigration agenda.

“This is another manifestation of discriminatory policies disguised as national security,” said a representative from Human Rights Watch. “It disproportionately affects low-income nations and fails to address the root causes of migration.”

However, administration officials argue that these measures are necessary.

“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” a senior State Department official told New Daily Prime. “This process is not arbitrary—it is based on data, enforcement failures, and national security assessments.”

President Trump’s executive order earlier this month already blocked immigration from 12 countries on national security grounds. The memo suggests that the administration is not done tightening its borders.

During his jet-setting second term, President Trump has redoubled efforts to deport foreign nationals with criminal records, curb student visa abuse, and limit asylum applications. Hundreds of suspected gang members from Venezuela have been deported to El Salvador, and some student visa programs are being reviewed or revoked entirely.

Nigeria in the Crosshairs

Nigeria, one of Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, finds itself again at the center of U.S. immigration controversies. Though the Trump administration previously considered similar measures in 2020, this time the stakes appear higher and the conditions more rigid.

The memo accuses Nigeria of issues with fraudulent documentation, weak visa enforcement, and inconsistent cooperation in repatriating deported nationals.

Experts warn that any travel restrictions placed on Nigeria could significantly affect U.S.-Nigeria relations, trade, and family-based immigration for millions of Nigerians living in the U.S.

“Nigerians are among the most educated and economically successful immigrant groups in America,” noted international relations analyst Dr. Angela Aze. “Banning them en masse would be both counterproductive and unjustified.”

Historical Context

Trump’s administration has a controversial history with travel bans. His first term saw a ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries. After court challenges, it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Today’s proposed expansion could be the largest single immigration restriction effort in U.S. modern history.

This memo comes on the heels of escalating global security concerns and border control debates in the U.S. Congress, where Republicans are pushing for more aggressive screening measures.

With the 60-day countdown now in motion, affected countries have little time to enact sweeping reforms. Failure to do so will mean abrupt and sweeping restrictions that could affect millions of travelers, students, and families.

As global leaders digest the memo’s implications, New Daily Prime will continue to monitor diplomatic efforts, compliance progress, and the real-world consequences of one of the most consequential immigration directives in recent history.