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Claim: A Facebook user, Zainab Natural Remedy, reported that without an American passport, nobody will be able to buy food and drugs in the U.S.
Verdict: False! According to U.S. importation laws, a valid passport is not required for citizens or non-citizens to purchase food and drugs while in the country. There is no evidence of a new regulation by President Trump requiring Americans and non-citizens to buy food and medicine with an American passport.
Full Text
In President Donald Trump’s second spell as U.S president, he has made key immigration changes, cracking down on illegal immigration in the U.S.
President Trump’s immigration-related executive orders, including visa allocation, travel bans, and deportation, have become the centre of global discourse.
In January 2025, President Trump said in an Executive Order that illegal immigrants pose “significant threats to national security and public safety in the U.S.”
Trump stated categorically in what he called “Protecting the American People against Invasion” that he was enforcing the immigration laws in the U.S to protect Americans from invasion.
However, a popular Sierra Leonean blog, Zainab Natural Remedy, reported a claim that without an American passport, nobody will be able to buy food and drugs in the U.S.
Part of the claim reads: “Trump’s latest regulation: Without an American passport, you will not be able to buy food and medicine.”
As of June 16, 2025, the claim has garnered 2,200 likes, 384 comments, and 2,500 shares.
There were mixed reactions to the claim, but most of the followers believed it while a few dismissed it as false.
Screenshots of mixed reactions.
DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim due to its potential to mislead the public.
Verification:
DUBAWA conducted a Google keyword search and found no evidence supporting the claim posted by Zainab Natural Remedy.
The researcher also reviewed all Executive Orders signed by President Trump on the Federal Register since he assumed office for the second time, but found no evidence supporting the claim.
Is an American Passport a requirement to buy food and drugs in the U.S?
No! Below is why.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulates the import of food and medicines into the U.S. Foreign nationals visiting the U.S. may be allowed to travel with a “90-day supply” of prescriptions, provided they have an authentic prescription in English or a doctor’s note.
- Foreign nationals are not restricted from buying medicines or food in the U.S once they are there.
- According to the Food and Drug Administration, foreign nationals travelling to the U.S temporarily can bring their medications.
- While the FDA regulates the importation of food and drugs into the U.S., it does not restrict anyone from buying food and medicines in the U.S.
- While a valid passport allows entry into the U.S., it is not a requirement for purchasing food and medicines.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s investigation found that no regulation requires citizens or non-citizens to present passports when purchasing food and medicines in the U.S. with a valid American passport.
