The Trump administration is considering expanding its travel restrictions to include citizens from 36 additional countries—Cameroon among them—according to a leaked U.S. State Department cable reviewed by Reuters. This potential move could result in a full or partial suspension of entry for nationals from the listed countries if they fail to meet U.S. immigration and security benchmarks within 60 days.
Security Concerns Highlighted
The internal cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines several reasons for concern, including lack of reliable identity documentation, poor cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement, and questionable passport security.
“The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days,” the document states.
A senior State Department official, without confirming the list, commented that “we are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws.”
Cameroon’s Position Under Increased Scrutiny
Cameroon’s inclusion on the list comes shortly after the United States officially ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 8,000 Cameroonians on June 7, 2025, a policy shift that sparked widespread criticism. Human rights observers and advocacy groups have warned that deporting Cameroonians could place them at risk, given the country’s ongoing conflict, particularly in the Anglophone regions and the Far North.
The U.S. government’s assessment of Cameroon reportedly includes concerns over its passport system, lack of cooperation in processing deportations, and internal security issues. Cameroon has faced years of violence between separatist groups and government forces, leading to mass displacement and documented human rights abuses.
Travel Ban Context and History
This proposed expansion follows a proclamation signed earlier this month by President Trump banning citizens from 12 countries, citing threats of terrorism and national security. Countries currently facing restrictions include Afghanistan, Iran, Sudan, and others.
The 36 additional countries now under review include several African nations, such as Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Zambia, along with others in Asia and the Pacific.
In addition to full bans, the U.S. may implement partial restrictions, such as limitations on certain visa types. The State Department has emphasised that not all concerns listed in the cable apply to every country under consideration.
Broader Immigration Crackdown
This development is part of a broader immigration crackdown launched during Trump’s second term. Other measures include the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of gang activity and new limits on foreign student visas.
The administration has framed these moves as national security efforts. “The Department of State is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process,” the official added.
With TPS for Cameroonians now officially ended and the country potentially facing additional travel restrictions, advocacy groups are raising concerns over the future of thousands of Cameroonian nationals in the U.S.
Critics argue that Cameroon does not meet safe return standards due to ongoing armed conflict. Yet, under current policy, affected individuals now face deportation.
Countries Under Consideration for the New Travel Ban
The full list of 36 countries includes:
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.
This expansion represents a major shift in U.S. visa and travel policy, following the initial travel bans during Trump’s first term, which the Supreme Court upheld in 2018.
As the 60-day compliance window begins, Cameroon’s inclusion on the travel ban watchlist underscores mounting immigration and security pressure. With TPS protections already lifted and potential new entry bans looming, the status of Cameroonians in the U.S. is increasingly uncertain.
