The Trump administration significantly escalated its Ebola-related travel restrictions on May 22, 2026, publishing a new rule that would bar lawful permanent residents (LPRs) from re-entering the United States if they have recently traveled to countries affected by the ongoing outbreak.
U.S. health authorities announced they plan to temporarily bar permanent residents from reentering if they've traveled recently to Ebola-affected areas, escalating the administration's reliance on travel restrictions in response to the fast-spreading outbreak linked to hundreds of cases and 177 suspected deaths. The revised quarantine rules let the CDC block lawful permanent residents from entering if they've traveled to countries where the virus is spreading.
The move marks a dramatic expansion of restrictions that, just days earlier, explicitly exempted green card holders from the ban.
From Initial Ban to Full Escalation
On May 18, 2026, CDC, DHS, and other federal agencies implemented enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures to prevent Ebola disease from entering the United States amid ongoing outbreaks in East and Central Africa.
That initial order, issued under Title 42 of the Public Health Service Act,
restricted entry for non-US passport holders who had been in Uganda, DRC, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.
Critically, the original order carved out exemptions.
U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), active-duty military personnel, and accredited government diplomats, alongside their immediate families, remained permitted to return home, though they faced stringent health oversight upon arrival.
The May 22 rule eliminates that green card holder exemption.
The U.S. government said it has temporarily banned the entry of green card holders who had traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days, in an attempt to stop Ebola from entering American borders.
Health officials cited public health concerns and "resource constraints" as justification for the expansion.
The Outbreak Driving the Restrictions
The policy shift comes against the backdrop of a rapidly escalating Ebola crisis in East and Central Africa.
On May 15, 2026, the Ministry of Health of the DRC confirmed an outbreak of Ebola disease in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC. As of May 16, 2026, a total of 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths had been reported.
Those numbers have since risen sharply.
According to the Ministry of Health of DRC, there are now over 650 suspected cases including 160 deaths. The number of confirmed cases in DRC is 64, including six deaths.
Unlike for Ebola-Zaire strains, there are currently no approved Bundibugyo virus-specific therapeutics or vaccines.
The virus has a death rate between 25 percent to 50 percent, and treatment consists only of supportive care. The incubation period is typically between two and 21 days, with most people developing symptoms within four to 10 days after exposure.
On May 17, the World Health Organization determined this outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern.
The WHO, however, has explicitly advised against broad travel bans.
According to WHO officials, the ban is not recommended, as Ebola is not an airborne virus. The virus spreads only through direct contact with blood or body fluids, making travel restrictions "not supported under the IHR recommendations."
What This Means for Green Card Holders
The practical implications for lawful permanent residents are immediate and severe. Green card holders who are currently abroad in or near the affected countries — or who transited through them — now face the prospect of being denied re-entry to the United States, the country where they have established lawful permanent residence.
This affects not only nationals of the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan, but any LPR of any nationality who has traveled through those countries in the previous 21 days. Business travelers, humanitarian workers, individuals visiting family, and others could all be swept up in the restriction.
For travelers, employers, universities, and families, the order may result in sudden disruptions to planned travel and visa processing. Individuals who are currently abroad or who recently traveled through the affected regions should carefully review their travel histories and consider consulting with immigration counsel if they anticipate entering the United States in the near future.
The situation is compounded by the fact that
DRC and Uganda were among 36 countries given a deadline in June 2025 to strengthen vetting procedures or face further restrictions. In January 2026, the State Department paused all immigrant visa issuances for nationals of both countries, citing high rates of public benefits usage. Tourist and other non-immigrant visas remained available until now. The Title 42 order closes that remaining avenue.
Legal Authority and Criticism
The original order was signed by Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health who is also serving as a top CDC official, and is in effect for 30 days. This is the first time the U.S. has imposed a travel ban in response to an Ebola outbreak.
The administration is relying on
authority granted by Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 265, 268, and their implementing regulations.
Title 42 was notoriously deployed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In March 2020, the Trump administration invoked Title 42 to expel migrants at the southern border, citing COVID. Between March 2020 and May 2023, the United States carried out nearly 3 million Title 42 expulsions.
Public health experts and advocacy organizations have sharply criticized the policy. Physicians for Human Rights called the measure "xenophobia masquerading as public health," with its public health director stating that
"it is the weaponization of a public health emergency to justify shutting the door on people seeking asylum at the U.S. border."
The Infectious Diseases Society of America also pushed back. Its CEO, Jeanne Marrazzo, stated:
"Public health policies that single out non-U.S. citizens won't prevent viruses from crossing our borders. Diseases don't recognize passports."
Infectious disease specialist Krutika Kuppalli, who has worked in Ebola outbreaks, cautioned that
"broad travel bans do little to stop the spread of disease once an outbreak is already underway."
The Broader Immigration Context
The renewed use of Title 42 highlights the intersection of immigration law, public health, and executive authority. Although the stated purpose of the order is disease prevention, its practical effect is the immediate restriction of cross-border mobility.
Green card holder travel restrictions have varied over the years depending on changes in U.S. immigration policy, global events, and public health emergencies. During the Trump administration, certain executive orders and travel bans created unexpected hurdles for lawful permanent residents returning from specific countries. Similarly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many green card holders were affected by international travel restrictions and entry suspensions. These situations revealed how even permanent residents can face challenges at the border.
Meanwhile,
no cases of Ebola disease have been confirmed in the United States because of this outbreak, and the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low.
What Should Affected Individuals Do?
Green card holders and other immigrants who may be affected by these evolving restrictions should take the following steps:
- Do not travel to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan unless absolutely necessary. Any transit through these countries within a 21-day window could trigger an entry bar.
- Consult an immigration attorney immediately if you are currently abroad in or near the affected region and hold a green card. Your ability to return to the United States may be at risk.
- Document your travel history carefully. The 21-day lookback period means even brief layovers or transit stops could be relevant.
- Monitor CDC and DHS announcements closely, as the situation is changing rapidly. The initial 30-day order could be extended or further expanded.
- Be aware of enhanced screening at U.S. ports of entry, even for those who may be exempt.
The speed with which these restrictions have expanded — from exempting green card holders on May 18 to barring them just four days later — underscores the unpredictable nature of public health-driven immigration enforcement. For the millions of lawful permanent residents who call the United States home, the message is clear: immigration status, even permanent residency, offers no guaranteed shield when public health authority and executive power converge.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe you may be affected by these travel restrictions, please consult a qualified immigration attorney.