• The United States has expanded its visa restriction policy across the Western Hemisphere
• The new policy targets individuals accused of working for adversarial governments or agents
• The U.S. says activities targeted include influence operations, economic sabotage and control of strategic resources

The United States has broadened its visa restriction policy to target individuals accused of supporting rival powers operating across the Western Hemisphere.

In a statement released on Thursday, April 16, the US Department of State said the move is in line with the national security priorities of Donald Trump, aimed at preventing foreign adversaries from gaining influence over strategic assets and key interests in the region.

According to the statement, the expanded policy affects nationals from countries in the hemisphere who are believed to be acting on behalf of hostile governments, organisations or agents to undermine American interests.

“These individuals – and their immediate family members – will be generally ineligible for entry into the United States.

“Activities include but are not limited to: enabling adversarial powers to acquire or control key assets and strategic resources in our hemisphere; destabilising regional security efforts; undermining American economic interests; and conducting influence operations designed to undermine the sovereignty and stability of nations in our region,” it said.

The U.S. government said it has already sanctioned 26 individuals under the expanded restrictions.

“To demonstrate our commitment to this expanded policy, we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities.”

The measure was introduced under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which gives the U.S. government authority to deny entry to individuals considered harmful to its foreign policy interests.

However, the statement did not reveal the identities of the 26 individuals affected or specify which countries are regarded as adversarial.

The latest move adds to the broader immigration and foreign policy push by the Trump administration since returning to office in January 2025.

The administration has increasingly focused on tightening visa rules, strengthening vetting procedures and limiting the influence of countries seen as rivals to the U.S.

Trump plans travel ban on 43 countries

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the United States President Donald Trump had planned to impose a travel ban on 43 countries as part of an immigration crackdown.

The memo categorised the 43 countries into three groups including red (full ban), orange (strict visa restrictions), and yellow (60-day review period), based on the severity of restrictions.