In a move aimed at overhaulilng border security, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced the Third World Immigration Moratorium Act on July 15, 2026. The bill seeks to indefinitely ban entry into the United States for citizens from dozens of countries, with several Caribbean nations at the forefront of the proposed restrictions.
The legislation specifically names several Caribbean countries whose citizens would be barred from entering the U.S. These include Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, and Haiti.
According to the representative’s office, these nations are part of a broader group that has allegedly refused to cooperate with U.S. deportation orders or failed to provide sufficient vetting information on their citizens.
Regarding the inclusion of these and other nations, Mace stated that Washington has for too long allowed “bad actors” to exploit gaps in the immigration system. The bill characterizes many of the targeted regions as hostile regimes or failed states that “export violence and instability”.
Beyond the Caribbean, the moratorium extends to a vast list of countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, aligning with a previous presidential proclamation regarding national security. The list of prohibited entries includes:
- Africa: Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Middle East and Asia: Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Laos, Libya, Syria, Turkmenistan, and Yemen.
- Other Entities: Venezuela, Tonga, and individuals traveling with documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
“If you import the third world, you will become the third world,” Mace argued in a press release, emphasizing that entry into the United States is a “privilege, not a right”. She further asserted that the U.S. should not serve as a “dumping ground” for international problems.
The act does provide targeted exceptions for certain individuals. Lawful permanent residents, dual nationals from non-listed countries, and diplomatic or NATO personnel remain eligible for entry. Additionally, athletes competing in major international events like the World Cup or Olympics, and individuals fleeing religious persecution in Iran, are exempt.
The Secretary of Homeland Security also maintains the authority to grant discretionary waivers if an individual’s entry is deemed to be in the “critical national interest”. To ensure the list remains current, the Secretary of State and other top intelligence officials must report to Congress every 180 days to determine if the bans should be continued or expanded.
