Donald Trump's administration has suspended all immigration applications from 19 nations it considers high-risk, the Department of Homeland Security has confirmed.
The freeze affects nationals from countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Venezuela.
Officials cited last week's shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington DC as justification for the measure.
The attack was allegedly carried out by an Afghan man who had previously worked with a CIA-organised counterterrorism unit.
White House officials are also weighing plans to extend the travel restrictions to approximately 30 countries.
The proposals remain at an early stage and the final number of nations added could still shift, the officials said.
A DHS spokesperson confirmed that a revised list is under active consideration, with the possibility of further expansion beyond 30 countries.
"We will be announcing the list soon," the spokesman stated.
Donald Trump might increase the immigration ban to as many as 30 countries
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The expanded measures would substantially broaden a proclamation issued by Mr Trump over the summer that partially or fully restricted legal immigration and travel from 19 nations, predominantly in Asia and Africa.
Following a meeting with the Potus on Monday, Secretary Noem took to X to advocate for a considerably harder line on immigration policy.
"I recommended adding more countries," she wrote, arguing the list should encompass "every damn country that's been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies".
The DHS chief continued with forceful rhetoric about American sovereignty.
Afghanistan was one of the countries affected by the immigration ban as the Washington DC shooting suspect (not pictured) is an Afghan
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"Our forefathers built this nation on blood, sweat, and the unyielding love of freedom -- not for foreign invaders to slaughter our heroes, suck dry our hard-earned tax dollars, or snatch the benefits owed to AMERICANS," Noem declared.
She concluded emphatically: "WE DON'T WANT THEM. NOT ONE."
The Washington DC attack occurred last week when Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national, allegedly shot dead Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and left Andrew Wolfe, 24, in critical condition near the White House.
Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 and was granted asylum in April 2025, according to officials.
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