Why is a small island like Tuvalu included on the U.S. travel ban list?
Three Pacific Island nations—Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu—are among 36 countries mentioned in a leaked U.S. State Department memo that may soon face new visa restrictions. The document, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, allows these governments 60 days to address the concerns raised or risk facing full or partial bans on visa access to the United States.
According to the Post, the memo outlines various criteria that the administration believes these countries are not meeting. Some nations lack a competent or cooperative central government capable of issuing reliable identity or civil documents, while others experience significant government fraud. Additionally, the memo notes that some countries have a high number of citizens who have overstayed their visas in the United States.
The concerns highlighted include the security of passport systems, high rates of visa overstays, and insufficient cooperation with U.S. authorities regarding the deportation of nationals ordered to leave the country.
Reasons for Naming These Nations
The memo outlines four primary areas of concern:
1. Insecure documentation—travel and identity documents that are easily forged;
2. Visa overstays—instances where citizens remain in the U.S. beyond their authorized period;
3. Limited cooperation in removals—when governments do not assist in deportation cases;
4. General security issues—including vague references to anti-American or antisemitic sentiments, without specific evidence provided for these Pacific nations.
While Vanuatu has previously faced scrutiny over its passport sale program, there is no known record of Tonga or Tuvalu being linked to any security threats in this context.
Other reasons mentioned included the option for obtaining citizenship through financial investment without the need for residency, as well as allegations of “antisemitic and anti-American activities in the United States” by individuals from those nations. The memo also indicated that if a country agreed to accept third-country nationals who had been removed from the U.S. or entered into a “safe third country” agreement, it could alleviate some concerns.
Criticism and Questions
Critics have raised concerns about the inclusion of these Pacific nations, citing their small size and their long-standing cooperation with U.S. foreign policy. Pacific Affairs journalist Michael Field described the decision as “baffling,” noting that the combined population of Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu is approximately 434,000. He remarked, “Tuvalu alone has just over 9,600 residents, roughly the same number of people who walk into Foggy Bottom each morning—and none are lining up to invade the Potomac.”
Field also pointed out that although the U.S. memo mentions "questionable" passport security, there is “no credible evidence” that Tonga or Tuvalu are “shipping jihadists through Funafuti.”
Part of a Broader Policy Expansion
This situation is part of a larger expansion of the U.S. travel restrictions program. Earlier this month, 12 countries were subjected to full bans, while 7 others faced partial restrictions. According to Reuters, the latest proposed restrictions are driven more by concerns over immigration compliance and documentation standards than by national security.
Countries on the watchlist have until mid-August 2025 to present plans detailing how they will enhance passport security, address visa overstays, and facilitate the repatriation of their citizens.
Regional Impacts
The recent decision could have profound effects on families in the Pacific. Many depend on travel to the U.S. for seasonal employment, education, or family visits. Tonga, in particular, has previously advocated for the establishment of a U.S. embassy in Nukuʻalofa to enhance the affordability and accessibility of visa services.
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, there are 78,871 individuals of Tongan descent in the United States, with one study characterizing the Tongan community there as “a struggling Tongan immigrant population.”
This expanded ban builds on the immigration policies of the Trump administration, which have already led to the arrest and deportation of numerous Pacific islanders.
Currently, none of the three governments have publicly addressed the memo, but regional leaders are anticipated to convene soon to discuss coordinated responses.
