The Trump administration justified the travel bans on 39 countries due to national security, visa overstays, and document fraud risks. Learn how these bans were structured, who was affected, and why immigrants in the U.S. can still pursue green cards and how Spar & Bernstein can help.
When the Trump administration rolled out travel bans affecting dozens of countries, critics questioned their motivations. But the administration defended the bans with specific criteria. According to Trump-era DHS and State Department sources, countries were banned based on failing to meet national security and immigration integrity benchmarks, not chosen at random.
There were four main reasons countries were added to the list:
Terrorism Risk or Unstable Governments
Some countries, such as Mali, were cited for being unable to control terrorist organizations or for being breeding grounds for radical groups. The administration claimed that countries like Mali were too unstable to reliably vet individuals applying for U.S. visas.
High Visa Overstay Rates
The administration also used Department of Homeland Security overstay data to justify bans. For example, Laos reportedly had an overstay rate of 28 percent, meaning roughly one in four people from Laos who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa never returned home. Such statistics raised concerns about visa abuse and enforcement challenges.
Citizenship-by-Investment Without Residency
Countries like Antigua and Barbuda faced restrictions due to their citizenship-by-investment programs, which allowed foreign nationals to purchase passports without living in or having a meaningful connection to the country. This created fears of identity manipulation or fraudulent access to U.S. visas through secondary citizenship.
Insufficient Passport Security and Data Sharing
Other countries were banned because their travel documents lacked biometric security features or because their governments did not sufficiently share criminal and security data with the U.S. This made it harder for U.S. immigration authorities to verify identities or assess risk during visa processing.
These criteria were used to justify inclusion on various travel ban and visa restriction lists, including Presidential Proclamations 9645 and 9983, during the Trump presidency.
It is important to understand that these travel bans applied primarily to individuals attempting to enter the U.S. from abroad. They did not apply to those who were already lawfully present in the United States and eligible for adjustment of status.
In short, if you are from a banned country but are already in the U.S. on a valid visa, and you meet all the criteria to adjust your status, you are not blocked from applying for your green card. The travel ban does not cancel out your ability to adjust your status under U.S. law.
Even though the policies under the Trump administration were strict, the underlying immigration laws that allow for adjustment of status remained in place. The travel bans were about entry, not about legal pathways for those already here. And despite the security-focused rhetoric of the past, immigration lawyers have helped thousands of people from travel-banned countries become lawful permanent residents while residing in the U.S.
At Spar & Bernstein, we understand how to navigate these complexities. Whether you are from Laos, Mali, Antigua and Barbuda, or any of the 39 previously banned countries, our team will assess your eligibility and work to secure your green card, even if your country of origin has a history of being flagged by the U.S. government.
With decades of experience, the attorneys at Spar & Bernstein are uniquely positioned to assist immigrants from high-risk or travel-banned countries. We stay on top of evolving policy, fight for our clients’ rights, and provide strategic solutions to help you stay in the U.S. legally, safely, and permanently.
Do not let past travel bans deter you from pursuing your green card. If you are already in the U.S., your path to permanent residency may still be wide open.
Contact Spar & Bernstein today to schedule a confidential consultation and take the first step toward securing your future in America.
