US President Donald Trump has significantly expanded US travel restrictions, signing a new proclamation that adds 20 additional countries and imposes a complete travel ban on individuals holding Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents. The move sharply broadens limits on who may enter or immigrate to the United States and revives one of the most controversial policies from Trump’s first term.

Under the updated policy, five countries now face a full suspension of travel to the United States, while nationals of 15 additional countries are subject to partial restrictions. The administration also announced that people traveling on Palestinian Authority documents are fully barred from entering the US, further tightening restrictions that had already made travel nearly impossible for Palestinians in recent months.

White House officials said the expanded ban is aimed at strengthening national security and tightening entry standards. They linked the decision to concerns over inadequate vetting, instability in certain regions, and recent security incidents, including the arrest of an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard troops near the White House over Thanksgiving weekend.

The administration noted that several exemptions remain in place. Individuals who already hold valid US visas, lawful permanent residents, diplomats, athletes, and select categories of visa holders are exempt from the restrictions. Entry may also be permitted if it is deemed to serve US national interests. The White House did not specify when the expanded measures will take effect.

Trump first announced a new round of travel restrictions in June, barring citizens from 12 countries and partially restricting entry from seven others. That move revived the travel ban policy that became a defining feature of his earlier presidency and sparked widespread legal challenges and public protests.

Under Tuesday’s expansion, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria were added to the list of countries facing a full ban. Travel by individuals using Palestinian Authority–issued documents was also completely restricted. South Sudan had already been subject to significant limitations under earlier measures.

An additional 15 countries were placed under partial travel restrictions. These include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Ivory Coast, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The restrictions apply to both short-term visitors and those seeking permanent immigration to the United States.

In the proclamation, Trump cited “widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents, and deficient criminal record systems” in several affected countries, saying these conditions make effective vetting of travelers difficult. Officials also pointed to high visa overstay rates and the refusal of some governments to accept the return of their nationals ordered deported from the US.

The administration said instability, weak government control, immigration enforcement challenges, and broader national security and foreign policy considerations all factored into the decision.

The proclamation also adjusted earlier restrictions. Laos and Sierra Leone were moved from partial limits to full suspensions, while some restrictions on Turkmenistan were eased after the administration said the country had made improvements. All other measures announced in June remain in effect.

The new policy toward Palestinians goes further than previous steps. While earlier restrictions already limited access to US visas for work, study, tourism, and business, the latest move effectively bars immigration to the United States for holders of Palestinian Authority documents.

The proclamation stated that US-designated terrorist organizations operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and have killed American citizens, adding that ongoing conflict has weakened vetting and screening capabilities.

Travel bans remain deeply polarizing. Supporters argue they are necessary to protect national security, while critics say they unfairly target people based on nationality and undermine America’s global image.