Trump Widens US Travel Ban, Adding Five More Countries. President Donald Trump has announced an expansion of the US travel ban, blocking entry for nationals of five additional countries, as well as people traveling on documents issued by the Palestinian Authority - According to BBC. According to the White House, the new restrictions are aimed at strengthening US national security and will take effect on January 1. Full entry bans will now apply to travelers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. Laos and Sierra Leone, which previously faced limited restrictions, have also been moved to the full ban list. Partial restrictions were introduced for 15 other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Trump said the decision was driven by concerns over weak screening and vetting systems abroad, pointing to high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil records, corruption and security risks. The announcement comes after the arrest of an Afghan national suspected of shooting two National Guard troops over Thanksgiving. This marks the third travel ban under Trump. While exemptions will apply to permanent residents, diplomats and some visa holders, the restrictions will remain until affected countries make what the White House calls “credible improvements” in cooperation with US authorities.