U.S. considers travel ban expansion to 36 more countries, including Kyrgyzstan

According to Reuters, a classified internal cable signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines a dozen security and policy concerns related to these countries and urges immediate corrective actions.

The State Department has identified 36 countries whose citizens may be subjected to travel bans if they fail to meet certain criteria and requirements within 60 days, the document states.

Most of the countries under review are located in Central and South America, as well as in Africa and Oceania. In Asia, the list includes Bhutan, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, and Syria.

The cable notes several key concerns, including the lack of a competent government in some of these countries capable of issuing reliable identity documents. Another issue is the “questionable security” of their passports.

In addition, some governments have been uncooperative in facilitating the return of their nationals who have been ordered deported from the U.S.

Other reasons cited for concern include the involvement of some citizens from these countries in terrorist activities, or engagement in “antisemitic” and “anti-American” actions. The document clarifies that not all concerns apply to each country on the list.

“We are constantly reevaluating policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals follow our laws,” a senior State Department official told Reuters. “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.”

If enacted, this would represent a major expansion of restrictions announced earlier this month, which already affected countries such as Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens from seven other countries also faced partial entry restrictions.