The doors to the United States may soon slam shut for citizens of over 30 countries as the Trump administration moves to revive and expand one of its most controversial signature policies. In a disclosure that has sent diplomatic ripples from Washington to Nairobi, officials confirmed late Friday that a rigorous assessment of global travel privileges is currently underway.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, revealed that the administration is not merely tweaking existing protocols but is eyeing a list that could encompass up to 32 nations. For Kenyans and the broader African community, the lack of a specific country list creates a vacuum of uncertainty regarding future visa access, trade mobility, and family reunification.

A Wider Net

While the administration has yet to release the names of the targeted nations, Noem’s comments signal a return to the hardline "America First" border enforcement that characterized the previous Trump era. When pressed on whether the prohibition list would swell to include nearly three dozen countries, Noem was unequivocal.

"President Donald Trump is assessing the list of over 30 countries across the globe," Noem stated, emphasizing that the review is active and high-priority. She declined to specify which nations are in the crosshairs, leaving diplomats and travelers to speculate based on previous patterns of U.S. immigration policy.

• The Scope: Approximately 30 to 32 countries are under review.
• The Source: Confirmation came via the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership.
• The Precedent: Previous bans heavily targeted nations with perceived security risks or inadequate information-sharing protocols.

The Nairobi Ripple Effect

For the Kenyan reader, this development is more than just foreign policy; it is a potential economic shockwave. The United States remains a primary destination for Kenyan students and a critical source of diaspora remittances, which serve as a lifeline for millions of households. Any tightening of travel restrictions could complicate the flow of people and capital.

Analysts recall that in 2020, the Trump administration placed immigrant visa restrictions on several African nations, including Nigeria, Tanzania, and Eritrea. While Kenya was spared the brunt of those measures, the sheer scale of this proposed expansion—covering over 30 nations—raises valid concerns about whether strategic partners in East Africa might face new scrutiny.

As the assessment continues, the silence from Washington regarding specific targets is deafening. "We are assessing the list," Noem reiterated, a phrase that leaves capitals across the Global South waiting for the other shoe to drop.