WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Tuesday an expansion of U.S. travel restrictions, adding 20 countries and travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority to the reinforced immigration policy launched earlier this year. The move is part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening national security, immigration controls, and entry screening standards.

Under the updated policy, five additional countries will now face a full ban on entry to the United States, while 15 others will be subject to partial restrictions. These measures are based on technical criteria related to the reliability of civil documentation, levels of government cooperation, and national security risks.

The Trump administration emphasized that the decision follows ongoing security assessments, particularly in the wake of a recent attack carried out by an Afghan national against two National Guard members during the Thanksgiving holiday. Officials said the incident underscored the need for more rigorous vetting and enforcement of immigration standards.

The restrictions do not apply to lawful permanent residents, individuals who already hold valid visas, diplomats, athletes participating in official competitions, or people whose entry is deemed to be in the strategic interest of the United States. The administration said the implementation date for the new rules will be announced soon.

Since June, President Trump had already imposed full entry bans on citizens from 12 countries and additional restrictions on seven others, reviving a cornerstone policy of his first term centered on the principle of “security first.”

With the latest update, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan and Syria are added to the full ban list, along with travel using documents issued by the Palestinian Authority. According to the White House, the decision regarding Palestinian territories is based on the continued activity of U.S.-designated terrorist groups and the difficulty of conducting reliable vetting in regions affected by armed conflict.

An additional 15 countries — including Nigeria, Senegal, Angola and Tanzania — will now face partial restrictions affecting both temporary visitors and applicants for permanent immigration.

According to the official statement, many of the countries listed have high levels of corruption, incomplete or fraudulent civil records, limited cooperation in accepting deportees, and governmental instability — factors that complicate proper traveler screening.

The administration also stressed that the policy is dynamic. Restrictions may be tightened or eased as countries demonstrate improvements in governance, international cooperation, and document security. As an example, officials cited the partial easing of restrictions on Turkmenistan following recently assessed improvements.

The White House reiterated that the measures are not aimed at individuals, but rather at deficient government systems that prevent secure vetting. The stated goal is to protect American citizens, preserve the integrity of the immigration system, and ensure that the United States continues to welcome visitors and immigrants in an orderly, legal, and secure manner.