The United States government is considering a sweeping expansion of its travel restrictions, potentially targeting up to 36 African nations with partial or full bans, according to an internal U.S. State Department cable obtained by Reuters. The proposal has sparked widespread concern among African governments, civil society groups, and migration experts.

The classified cable outlines a range of national security, policy, and administrative concerns that could form the basis for the new restrictions. These include issues such as unreliable identity documents, insufficient passport security systems, non-cooperation with deportation processes, alleged links to terrorism, and involvement in antisemitic or anti-American activities. A total of 12 criteria were reportedly listed as grounds for potential punitive travel measures.

If enacted, the move would mark one of the most extensive travel-related crackdowns on African nations in recent U.S. diplomatic history. The proposed countries include some of Washington’s most critical security and economic partners on the continent, such as Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Angola.

Other countries reportedly named in the cable include: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The U.S. has issued these nations a 60-day deadline to address the identified concerns or risk facing full or partial restrictions on their citizens' ability to travel to the United States.

This latest development comes on the heels of last week’s implementation of full travel bans on Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. In addition, the U.S. placed tighter restrictions on Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo, citing similar grounds.

Critics say these actions risk damaging long-standing diplomatic relations and could have a ripple effect on trade, education, and humanitarian exchanges. “Targeting nearly 40 countries, many of which are close partners of the U.S., will undoubtedly raise questions about fairness, due process, and the real strategic intent,” said Dr. Mpho Lehohla, an African geopolitical analyst based in Johannesburg.

The Biden administration has walked a political tightrope in balancing its immigration policy goals with national security imperatives. The internal State Department memo reportedly signals a shift toward more aggressive enforcement under the framework of Section 243(d) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. This clause allows for visa sanctions on countries that “deny or unreasonably delay” the repatriation of their own nationals.

But analysts say the rationale is expanding beyond repatriation issues to include political and ideological behavior, including perceived anti-American sentiment. "This adds a vague and potentially discriminatory layer to what should be a focused administrative process," said Maria Stokes, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute in Washington.

So far, few African governments have issued official responses, but diplomatic sources suggest that quiet lobbying has already begun behind the scenes. Several embassies in Washington are reportedly requesting clarification from the State Department and urging reconsideration of the broad sweep of countries involved.

“The implications of a travel ban could stretch far beyond tourism or temporary visits,” noted Dr. Ayo Oyetunde, a Nigerian-American political analyst. “This could impact students, families, businesspeople, and diplomats. It sends a message that is likely to be received with resentment across much of Africa.”

The African Union is also expected to issue a formal statement in the coming days, and there is speculation that collective diplomatic pressure may be mounted to push for a more tailored, dialogue-based approach.

With the 60-day window now open, affected nations will need to act swiftly to provide documentation of improved passport controls, increased cooperation on deportation matters, and other compliance measures. Failure to do so could result in a formal inclusion in the U.S. visa sanctions list.

In the meantime, global human rights groups are urging the United States to reassess the potential humanitarian consequences of these measures. “Punishing entire populations for the perceived failures of governments is not only unjust, it is strategically shortsighted,” said Ramiya Al-Khatib of Amnesty International’s Africa Program.

Whether the proposed restrictions are ultimately implemented remains to be seen, but the diplomatic, political, and humanitarian consequences are already beginning to reverberate across continents.