Overview
- Mali and Burkina Faso said in official statements that entry restrictions on Americans take effect immediately, matching U.S. conditions imposed on their nationals.
- President Trump’s Dec. 16 expansion of nationality-based travel restrictions entered implementation on Jan. 1, with the White House citing vetting gaps, security risks, and weak information-sharing.
- U.S. rationale quoted State Department findings of widespread terrorist activity in Burkina Faso and persistent armed conflict in Mali.
- Niger previously announced it would stop issuing visas to U.S. citizens, and earlier this year Chad suspended visas for Americans after inclusion on a prior U.S. list.
- Both West African states are military-led members of the Alliance of Sahel States that has moved away from Western partners, while U.S. rules include exceptions for lawful permanent residents, many existing visa holders, diplomats, and certain athletes.