A new decision came into effect at the start of 2026, expanding the travel ban enacted by President Donald Trump’s administration to now include visas related to international child adoption, a move that has sparked widespread controversy among human rights organizations and immigration experts, according to Newsweek.
Under a presidential proclamation signed on December 16, the United States suspended the issuance of four categories of adoption visas—IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, and IH-4—for citizens of 39 countries, including Nigeria, Haiti, and Venezuela, the U.S. Department of State confirmed. The decision effectively makes it impossible to complete adoption procedures from these countries, even in cases not subject to a full travel ban.
A Shift in U.S. Travel Ban Policy
This step marks a notable shift compared to previous ban policies. During Trump’s first term, his travel restrictions did not explicitly include adoption visas, despite tightening family reunification exceptions. The new amendment, however, effectively eliminates exemptions that had previously applied to certain categories, leaving implementation details to the State Department.
The State Department also clarified that the suspension extends to immediate family visas, including those for spouses, children, and parents—reflecting a broader tightening of immigration policy. Observers argue this contradicts the department’s own public messaging, which describes international adoption as a “humanitarian priority” aimed at providing stable family environments for children.
The administration has justified the decision on national security grounds, stating that the expanded restrictions are intended to prevent immigration fraud and ensure thorough background screening before any foreign national is allowed entry into the United States. In the proclamation, Trump emphasized the need to exercise “the highest level of vigilance” in visa procedures, warning that any loopholes could threaten U.S. national security.
Criticism and Humanitarian Concerns
Critics, however, view the decision as an indirect targeting of African and Muslim-majority countries, arguing that the expansion reflects a discriminatory approach rather than a genuine security measure. A report cited a former immigration official as saying that certain countries are “bearing the greatest burden” of these policies, raising questions about the criteria being applied.
The list of affected countries spans Africa, Asia, and Latin America, alongside additional restrictions imposed on applicants for permanent residency and other immigration benefits, with exemptions for those who already hold lawful U.S. residency.
The State Department noted that limited exemptions may still be granted in exceptional cases if the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that issuing a visa serves the “national interest.” However, organizations involved in international adoption warn that the decision will leave thousands of children in precarious humanitarian situations and place American families in legal dead ends.