Full Breakdown
Rep. Nancy Mace Pushes Bill to Codify Trump-Era Travel Ban on 39 Nations
7/16/2026, 12:56:20 PM
Legislation Introduced
On Wednesday Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., announced the Third World Immigration Moratorium Act, a bill that would prohibit entry to the United States for nationals of 39 countries across the Caribbean, Middle East and Africa, as well as holders of Palestinian Authority passports. The list includes Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela and others. The measure mirrors the countries subject to the Trump administration’s partial bans and would grant the Department of Homeland Security secretary case-by-case waiver authority.
Background and Prior Travel Bans
The proposal follows the Trump administration’s revival of a travel ban on 12 countries in June 2025 after an Egyptian national was charged with a fire-bombing in Boulder, Colorado. The list was later more than doubled after an Afghan national killed a West Virginia National Guard member and wounded a U.S. Air Force staff sergeant in Washington, D.C., in November 2025. Those incidents were cited as justification for expanding restrictions.
Provisions and Official Rationale
Mace’s statement frames the bill as a national-security measure, arguing that “entry into the United States is a privilege, not a right.” The legislation exempts lawful permanent residents, dual nationals with passports from unrestricted countries, diplomats, NATO personnel, athletes, special immigrant visa recipients, and certain refugees fleeing persecution in Iran. The president has argued the move is needed to protect national security and curb visa overstays.
Opposition and Political Landscape
Democrats and a subset of Republicans are expected to oppose the bill, citing concerns over discrimination and the impact on legal immigration. Earlier this year, some Republicans joined Democrats to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians, and others have defended immigration from Cuba, Venezuela and similar nations. Mace, who lost a bid for South Carolina governor and is weighing a Senate run, previously introduced legislation to bar naturalized citizens from federal employment.
Verbatim Quotes
“For too long, Washington has looked the other way while bad actors exploited every gap in our system and American families paid the price. Those days are over,” — Nancy Mace, Rep.
“If you import the third world, you will become the third world.” — Nancy Mace, Rep.
“This bill makes crystal clear: entry into the United States is a privilege, not a right,” — Nancy Mace, Rep.
“We make absolutely no apologies for defending it.” — Nancy Mace, Rep.
