Trump might ban citizens of 36 more countries: report

Washington: The Donald Trump administration in the US is mooting expansion of travel restrictions banning citizens of 36 more countries from entering it, Reuters reported.

Trump, the Republican president, signed a proclamation earlier this month banning the entry of citizens from 12 countries. Trump said that the move was to protect the US against “foreign terrorists” and from other national security threats.

According to Reuters, the move was part of Trump's immigration crackdown. His administration has deported hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of being gang members to El Salvador. It has denied enrollment of some foreign students from US universities while deporting others.

An internal communication signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed a dozen concerns about the countries listed for banning citizens. The communication also sought corrective action.

"The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for a full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days," Reuters quoted the communication.

According to the communication by the State Department, the concern is the lack of a competent or cooperative government by some of the countries mentioned to produce reliable identity documents. Some countries have questionable security regarding the passports they issued. When some countries are not cooperative in facilitating the removal of their nationals from the US who were ordered to be removed, some countries were overstaying the US visas their citizens were being granted, the cable said.

More reasons for concern were certain countries’ nationals were involved in acts of terrorism in the US or antisemitic and anti-American activity.