Washington, June 18 – United States President Donald Trump has taken a firm stance on illegal immigration, issuing a stern warning to 36 countries whose nationals are residing in the U.S. without proper documentation. These countries have been asked to urgently improve their passport verification systems and address the status of their citizens living unlawfully in the U.S.
According to the directive, these nations must submit a detailed action plan by Wednesday and begin implementing it within the next 60 days. Failure to comply could result in restrictions on their citizens' ability to enter the United States.
As per agency report, the U.S. Department of State has sent a confidential diplomatic cable to American embassies and consulates worldwide, instructing them to engage directly with the respective governments and assess their willingness to act on U.S. concerns. The Trump administration has indicated that if these countries fail to make credible progress, they may be added to the existing travel ban list, which currently includes 12 nations.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to comment on the details of the confidential communication but confirmed that the U.S. expects countries to strengthen their passport verification procedures, cooperate in accepting deported nationals, and ensure that their citizens do not pose a threat to American national security.
Bruce stated that the administration is prepared to impose consequences on those nations that fail to demonstrate the reliability of their systems. However, it remains unclear whether countries that show intent but fall short of full compliance within the 60-day deadline would immediately face restrictions.
The Trump administration’s primary goal is to obtain cooperation from countries that are either unable or unwilling to provide secure travel documents or accept the return of their deported citizens. Some countries, Bruce explained, routinely fail to accept back individuals expelled from the U.S. for immigration violations.
In his statement, President Trump emphasized that the U.S. will no longer permit dangerous individuals to enter the country. He criticized the Biden administration for allowing such people into the U.S. and claimed that his government is now working to remove them one by one.
Several African nations have strongly criticized the policy, calling it discriminatory and unfair. Some have even warned that they may respond with their own countermeasures. Within the U.S., refugee advocacy organizations have also voiced opposition to the measure, describing it as divisive and counterproductive.
The list of countries receiving the warning includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
