In a further escalation of U.S. immigration policy, President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order banning holders of Palestinian Authority and Syrian passports from entering the United States. The decision is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Security Reasons Behind the Decision
The White House justified the move by citing “national security concerns” and “weak information-sharing mechanisms.” U.S. officials stated that both the Palestinian Authority and the Syrian government lack sufficient systems to verify citizens’ identities or reliably share criminal and security data with U.S. authorities.
Status of Temporary Jordanian Passports
For Palestinians holding temporary Jordanian passports (issued to individuals without a national number), the executive order includes the following clarifications:
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Legal clarification: The ban exclusively targets travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
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Outcome: Since temporary Jordanian passports are issued by the Jordanian government, they are not currently subject to the full ban.
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Warning: Despite being exempt, holders of these passports are expected to face heightened security screening and longer visa processing times.
Key Exemptions
The executive order confirms that the decision does not invalidate visas issued prior to January 1, 2026:
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Valid visa holders: Individuals with active U.S. visas may continue using them until expiration.
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Dual nationals: Palestinians or Syrians holding passports from non-banned countries (such as Jordan with a national number or any European nationality) are exempt, provided they use the alternate passport.
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Permanent residents: U.S. green card holders are not affected by the ban.
Expanded List of Restricted Countries
According to updated White House guidance issued in December 2025, the list of countries subject to travel restrictions has expanded to 39 countries, up from 19, divided between full bans and partial restrictions.
The measures will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Countries Under Full Travel Ban (19 Countries)
Citizens of these countries are barred from all types of visas, including immigrant and non-immigrant visas such as tourism, study, and work:
Arab countries:
Syria, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents.
Other countries:
Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Laos, and Sierra Leone.
Countries Under Partial Restrictions (20 Countries)
Citizens of these countries may enter only under very limited circumstances, often facing suspension of immigrant visas and certain visitor (B-1/B-2) or student visas, along with enhanced security screening:
Nigeria
Venezuela (restrictions primarily target government officials and their families)
Cuba
Tanzania
Senegal
Angola
Benin
Burundi
Togo
Turkmenistan (immigrant visa restrictions)
Antigua and Barbuda
Côte d’Ivoire
Dominica
Gabon
Gambia
Malawi
Mauritania
Tonga
Zambia
Zimbabwe
Important Notes for Travelers
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Exemptions: The order generally excludes permanent residents (green card holders), holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026, diplomats, and certain humanitarian emergency cases (subject to special approval).
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Dual citizenship: Travelers holding a passport from a non-restricted country may apply using that passport.
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Stated objective: The U.S. administration says the affected countries fail to meet information-sharing standards or have high visa overstay rates.