The United States will impose new visa and entry restrictions on the Pacific nation of Tonga from 1 January, as part of a wider expansion of the Trump administration's contentious travel ban. The move has ignited anger and disbelief among community leaders and politicians, who label the inclusion of the small, friendly kingdom as "unjustified" and "deeply offensive".
Expanding the Ban: A List of 15 New Countries
In December, US officials announced a further tightening of immigration rules, citing the need to protect against "national security and public safety threats". The policy expands the existing travel ban to include five new nations facing full restrictions: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.
Furthermore, "partial restrictions and entry limitations" will be applied to citizens from 15 additional countries. Alongside Tonga, this list includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Although termed "partial", visas will reportedly only be issued in rare, exceptional cases, such as for US government employees.
The White House justification for Tonga's inclusion hinges on visa overstay rates. The US government states that more than 14% of Tongans in some visa categories remain in the country beyond their permitted stay. Tonga, with a population of just 100,000, is the sole Pacific island nation targeted by this new wave of restrictions.
'Tonga is Not a Threat': Outcry from Communities and Leaders
The decision has been met with fierce criticism from academics, community figures, and elected officials, particularly those with ties to Polynesia. Dr Tevita Kaili, a Tongan professor at Brigham Young University in Hawaii, forcefully rejected the security rationale.
"Tongans are not a threat to US security," Kaili stated. He pointed out that Tonga sent troops to support US efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan and that its voting record at the United Nations frequently aligns with Washington's. "The claim that the US is protecting its security by restricting Tongans from travelling to the US is unfounded," he concluded.
The repercussions extend beyond tourism. Kaili expressed concern for Tongan students and workers already in the US, who may fear travelling home for visits in case they cannot return. He also highlighted the human cost at graduation ceremonies, where parents may be unable to attend, and predicted a decline in Tongan student numbers at his university by 2026.
Severing Polynesian Ties and a 'Road to Nowhere'
The political reaction has been sharp, especially in Hawaii. Senator Jarrett Keohokalole strongly denounced Tonga's inclusion, calling it "unjustified and deeply offensive to the people of Hawaii, where Polynesian identity is foundational".
He argued the policy disproportionately harms Pacific communities and reflects a broader pattern of immigration rules targeting people of colour. Keohokalole emphasised Hawaii's deep genealogical, cultural, and family connections with Tonga and the wider Pacific, warning the ban sends an "alarming message" to Polynesians everywhere.
This sentiment was echoed by Melino Maka, a Tongan community leader in New Zealand, who suggested the move was racially motivated. "Those connections are based on the colour of our skin," Maka said, adding pointedly, "For my money I’d rather work on the current relationship with China rather than chasing this road to nowhere."
The new restrictions threaten to strain long-standing ties. The US is home to the largest Tongan diaspora, estimated at 70,000 people, primarily in California and Utah. With roughly 150,000 Tongans living abroad, the visa changes will directly impact thousands of families and a significant flow of students and workers, casting a shadow over a relationship built on decades of migration and alliance.
