United States: Washington could extend entry restrictions to 36 other countries

President Donald Trump announced in early June that he would ban nationals from twelve countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, from entering the country. These include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Those from seven other countries - Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela - are affected by visa restrictions.

The US president justified these measures, which came into effect on June 9, by the need to "protect the United States against foreign terrorists and other threats to national security."

But according to the internal document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and revealed by the Washington Post, these measures could be extended to 36 other countries, which are given 60 days to comply with the US requirements.

Among the new countries concerned are mainly African countries, including Egypt, but also Syria and Cambodia.

Asked about this on Monday, a State Department spokesperson declined "to comment on internal deliberations or communications, but we constantly reevaluate our policies to ensure the safety of Americans and that foreign nationals comply with our laws."

Since returning to power in January, the American president has pursued a highly restrictive anti-immigration policy. He notably justified the inclusion of the countries concerned on this list by the lack of effective administrations to ensure the control of travelers.

Exceptions are, however, made for holders of certain visas and for people whose travel to the United States "serves the national interest."

If this were to come into force, nearly one in five people worldwide would live in a country subject to partial or complete travel restrictions – 18% of the global population.