Analysts are commending the President’s restrictions on travel from 10 African nations, citing improved U.S. security both at home and abroad.

The President stated on X that the travel ban was prompted by a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, against a pro-Israel group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The alleged perpetrator was an Egyptian man who had remained in the U.S. beyond his visa’s validity.

In a statement, the President declared the intention to reinstate the travel ban, sometimes referred to as the “Trump travel ban,” to prevent “radical Islamic terrorists” from entering the country.

This sentiment was echoed by State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, who stated in a briefing that the measure is a “national security imperative.”

However, some observers suggest an additional international motive.

Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of FDD’s Long War Journal, told Digital that most, if not all, of the African countries were added to the list due to either extreme instability creating terrorist havens or strained or nonexistent relations with the U.S.

He cited historical U.S. disapproval of Eritrea’s human rights record and alleged support for terrorism as an example. Roggio also noted that Chad’s military regime expelled the U.S. military last year, negatively impacting the U.S. military’s presence in Africa.

Several of the listed African countries pose significant potential security risks to the U.S.

Somalia is home to the world’s two primary Islamist terror groups, ISIS and al Qaeda, the latter represented by Al-Shabaab. The White House recently described Somalia as “a terrorist safe haven.”

A briefing note accompanying the travel ban stated, “A persistent terrorist threat emanates from Somalia’s territory. Somalia also remains a destination for individuals attempting to join that threaten the national security of the United States.”

U.S. Africa Command conducted five air strikes against operators from both groups in the 12 days leading up to June 2.

Recent reports indicate fighting and numerous casualties in the streets of Tripoli, the Libyan capital. The U.N.’s Support Mission in Libya warned that the situation could “spiral out of control.”

The White House note asserts that Libya’s historical terrorist presence increases the risks associated with the entry of its nationals into the United States. It adds that U.S. border officials cannot adequately vet Libyans because “there is no competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents in Libya.”

The U.S. has already imposed sanctions on the leaders of the warring parties in Sudan’s two-year civil war, which has reportedly resulted in 150,000 deaths and the displacement of 12 million people. The U.S. alleges that up to 28% of Sudanese nationals overstay their visas.

U.S. officials are unable to access the criminal records of Eritreans. The White House also reported that Eritrea has historically refused to accept the return of its nationals subject to removal, with an overstay rate of up to 55%.

Washington is increasingly concerned about the West African country of Chad’s deepening ties with Russia. Chad’s President Idriss Deby met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last year, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov subsequently visited Chad’s capital, N’Djamena. Questions are being raised about the role of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group in the country after three of its members were arrested in September and sent back to Moscow.

In response to the U.S. banning its nationals this week, citing a visa overstay rate of up to 55%, Chad’s President Deby stated, “I have instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visas to U.S. citizens.”

Nationals of this West African country reportedly overstay their F, M, and J visas by up to 70%.

Depending on the visa category, up to 35% of citizens from this country in the U.S. are reported to have overstayed their visas.

Overstaying visas is the primary concern for the other whose nationals now face restricted entry into the U.S.

This nation has an overstay rate of up to 35% and, according to the White House, “has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.”

Togo is characterized by poor governance, nepotism, and widespread corruption, allegedly extending to the president’s office. Over half of the population lives below the international poverty line. Togolese nationals have an overstay rate of up to 35% in the U.S.

Burundi rivals South Sudan as the world’s poorest country. Soaring inflation has led to a significant increase in food prices. A former rebel group has governed the country for two decades amidst political instability and alleged repression. Burundian citizens have an overstay rate of up to 17% in the U.S.