• Trump administration may expand travel ban to include 36 more countries.
• Current restrictions are affecting citizens from 12 countries.
• Concerns include security, passport control, and cooperation on deportations.
• Countries have 60 days to address concerns or face entry bans.
• Trump's policies have faced criticism for being discriminatory.

The Trump administration is considering a significant expansion of its travel ban to possibly include citizens from 36 additional countries, according to an internal State Department memo reviewed by Reuters, Dawn, and South China Morning Post. This potential increase follows a recent proclamation that already bars travelers from 12 countries, deemed necessary by Trump to protect U.S. national security interests.

The internal cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlights several concerns about the listed countries, such as their ability to issue reliable identity documents and facilitate deportations of their citizens from the U.S. According to the cable, failure to meet specific benchmarks within 60 days may lead to a recommendation for full or partial suspension of entry for the affected nations, as noted by Channel News Asia, Times of India, and Newsweek.

The specific concerns include questionable government cooperation in issuing passports, high rates of visa overstays by nationals, and the presence of citizens involved in acts of terrorism or antisemitic activities, according to sources like NPR and India Times. Each country faces a unique set of concerns, and compliance is necessary to maintain access to the U.S.

Countries such as Angola, Benin, and Zimbabwe are listed among those possibly facing extended bans. The existing restrictions inhibit entry for nations including Afghanistan, Iran, and Somalia, with partial bans affecting additional countries like Venezuela and Cuba. The scope of the proposed travel ban represents a significant escalation in Trump's immigration policy since taking office, as highlighted by South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

Critics argue that these moves are discriminatory, targeting predominantly Muslim and African nations. Past travel bans enacted during Trump's first term sparked widespread protests, and similar reactions are anticipated with this new proposal, as detailed by Newsweek, India Times, and NPR.