The Donald Trump administration has announced a new development in tourist visits to national parks in the USA.

In an official statement signed by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and released on Tuesday, November 25, the Department of the Interior emphasised that the policy was part of President Trump’s “America First” efforts to ensure U.S. taxpayers continue to enjoy affordable access while international visitors contribute more.

Before this new directive, which is set to take effect in 2026, non‑U.S. visitors typically pay the same as Americans, i.e., $35 per car or $20 per person, and $80 for an annual pass. The new surcharge will make visits far more expensive for foreign tourists.

International visitors will now need to pay $100 (£76) on top of existing fees to access 11 of the most popular sites, including Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Everglades.

"These policies ensure that US taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

Aside from the hike in fees for international visitors, the Trump administration would launch an upgraded online booking system and better access for motorcyclists across the parks.

In its announcement, the department also noted eight resident-only, "patriotic fee-free" days for 2026, including Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans' Day.

The hike in fees forms part of the US government’s efforts to generate revenue to cater for the conservation and maintenance of the tourist sites, to cut Park Service allocation administration efforts to

US national parks have seen record numbers of tourists in recent years, with upwards of 331 million visitors in 2024 - an increase of at least 6 million compared to the year before.

The country's most visited parks include the Everglades in Florida, Yosemite in California and Colorado's Rocky Mountains.

The new hike marks about 200-500% compared to the old prices that were usually charged non-US citizens when they visit these national parks.

Initially, the annual pass was $80, and a walk-in person entry was $15–$20 per person and $30–$35 per vehicle entry. However, effective next year, 2026 annual pass will shoot to up to $250 and $115–$120 per person and per vehicle entry will be pegged at $130–$135.

Aside from the new $100 surcharge for foreign tourists at U.S. national parks, the Trump administration in 2025 introduced sweeping immigration and refugee policy changes that directly affect non‑U.S. citizens and migrants. These include tightened asylum rules, expanded border enforcement, restrictions on humanitarian parole, and higher barriers for work visas and refugee resettlement.

Meanwhile, the Trump Administration's immigration policies have affected several Ghanaians and other nationals.

The lives of many Ghanaians who have been earmarked for deportation in the USA depend on the final decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

The BIA reviews cases involving asylum, visas, and deportation orders. Ghanaians (and other foreign nationals) are deported if they overstay visas, enter illegally, commit crimes, or lose asylum claims.

Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa during a briefing in Parliament on Thursday, November 20 on immigration-related issues, explained that more than three hundred Ghanaians have been in detention in the last ten to eleven (10-11) months in the USA over immigration-related charges and one hundred and twenty (120) of the detained are currently awaiting the verdict by the BIA on what their fate will be, whether they will be allowed to continue staying or brought back home.

“So far, Mr Speaker, 388 Ghanaians have been in detention since January this year on immigration-related charges. Of this number, 120 are awaiting final decisions by the Board of Immigration Appeals”, the North Tongu Minister said.

However, he noted that some people already know their fate and are currently waiting to finalise deportation arrangements and head back home.

“Additionally, 49 have exhausted all legal processes and are awaiting final deportation arrangements”, he added.

Earlier reports suggested that 2,470 Ghanaians were on the U.S. deportation list, one of the highest figures ever recorded. By mid-2025, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that 188 nationals had been earmarked for deportation and were already in detention facilities.