US President Donald Trump on Tuesday decided to impose a complete travel ban on citizens of seven more countries, including Syria, and Palestinian Authority passport holders entering the United States.

The move brings the number of countries that are barred from entering the US based on nationality alone to about 40. In addition, rules have been tightened even on regular travel from Western countries.

President Trump, who has made a tough stance on immigration a key political agenda, has already issued mass deportation orders, and his harsh rhetoric against non-white immigrants is also intensifying. The White House statement said the ban was intended to stop foreign nationals who “may threaten Americans.” It also said that those who seek to undermine America’s culture, government, institutions, and founding principles should not be allowed to enter the country.

The ban comes after Syria, which has been trying to reintegrate into the international community after the fall of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad, was killed a few days ago. According to Syrian officials, the suspects in the incidents were former members of the security forces who were dismissed for “extremist Islamist views.”

Meanwhile, the Trump administration, in solidarity with Israel, had already imposed an informal travel ban on Palestinian Authority passport holders in protest against the recognition of a Palestinian state by some Western countries, including France and the UK, which has now been made formal.

The new countries under full travel bans include Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone and South Sudan in Africa, as well as Laos in Southeast Asia. In addition, citizens of some African countries, including Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Senegal, have been subject to partial travel bans. Although these countries have qualified for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Trump administration has made it clear that it will only allow entry for players, and has made no commitment to fans.

Other countries under partial bans include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Polynesian nation of Tonga. Some of these countries are also important partners of the United States, which former President Joe Biden praised for their commitment to democracy.

Global Refugee, a Christian organization that works for refugee rights, has warned that the travel ban will further exacerbate the plight of vulnerable and vulnerable people. Chris O’Mara Wignarajah, the organization’s president and CEO, has accused the policy of punishing entire populations rather than individual and evidence-based assessments.

President Trump has been using controversial language targeting immigrants in recent public events. Somali citizens have already been banned from entering, while countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen are also under a complete travel ban.