DHS Recommends Expanding Travel Ban to 30–32 Countries Following Thanksgiving Eve National Guard Shooting

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recommended expanding the travel ban from 19 to 30–32 countries days after an Afghan national allegedly shot and killed one National Guard member and wounded another near the White House on Thanksgiving Eve 2025. The recommendation came before the December 16 proclamation that ultimately expanded the ban to 39 countries — exceeding Noem's initial proposal. The shooting by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a CIA-era Afghan ally granted asylum under Trump, triggered the policy push.