Overview

• A State Department memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio notified diplomats that the U.S. may extend existing travel restrictions to 36 nations across Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Pacific Islands.
• Benchmarks include the ability to produce reliable identity documents, curb visa overstays and accept third-country nationals under safe third-country agreements.
• Countries must submit by Wednesday at 8 a.m. an initial action plan outlining how they will meet these requirements.
• This proposal builds on the June 4 proclamation that fully barred entry from 12 countries and partially limited travel from seven others.
• Democrats and other critics have labeled the measure discriminatory while the administration defends it as necessary for national security.