U.S. announces expanded travel ban covering seven more countries

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a full travel ban on citizens from seven additional countries, expanding restrictions that now affect people from a total of 39 nations, according to a letter released by the White House on Tuesday.

Under the new decision, full travel restrictions will apply to Palestine, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria. The administration has also imposed partial travel limits on citizens from 15 other countries, though specific details of those restrictions were not immediately released.

The White House said the measures are being introduced in the interest of national and public security. The expanded restrictions are scheduled to take effect on January 1. Exemptions will remain in place for lawful permanent residents, diplomats and athletes participating in international events.

As part of the changes, the United States has lifted non-immigrant visa restrictions for citizens of Turkmenistan, while maintaining limits on immigrant visas from that country.

The decision follows a shooting incident last month near the White House involving an Afghan refugee and members of the National Guard. U.S. officials have cited the incident as part of a broader review of border security and screening procedures.