U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristjen Nielsen. AP Yonhap News

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristjen Nielsen has recommended to President Donald Trump that the number of countries subject to entry bans into the United States be expanded from the current 19 to 30-32, CNN reported on the 2nd (local time), citing sources familiar with the matter.

According to the report, the Trump administration is currently evaluating additional countries for entry bans, and the list of target countries is expected to expand continuously based on the results.

Bloomberg News also reported, citing a Homeland Security official, that the Trump administration plans to expand the number of countries subject to entry bans to approximately 30 countries and will add more countries soon.

Earlier, President Trump issued a proclamation in June, completely banning or partially restricting the entry of citizens from 19 countries into the United States.

Twelve countries, including Iran, Yemen, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan, were designated as countries subject to U.S. entry bans. Seven countries, including Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, were placed on the list of countries with partial restrictions.

The Trump administration is further strengthening its anti-immigration policies following a fatal shooting incident targeting the National Guard in the heart of Washington D.C. on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving.

On November 27th, President Trump posted on the social media service Truth Social, stating, "We will permanently stop immigration from all Third World countries."

At the time, President Trump did not specify which countries are considered Third World countries or what "permanent cessation of immigration" entails.

Secretary Nielsen announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) the previous day that she had met with President Trump and said, "I am recommending a full ban on entry for all the failed countries that have filled our country with killers, parasites, and welfare addicts."

Yonhap News