The Trump administration is reportedly considering a new travel ban that could impact citizens from up to 43 countries.
This proposed measure would be more extensive than the restrictions implemented during Trump’s first term, according to officials familiar with the discussions.
A preliminary list drafted by diplomatic and security officials categorizes nations into three levels of restriction.
The "red" list comprises 11 countries—Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen—whose citizens would be entirely barred from entry.
In addition, an "orange" list includes 10 countries where visa approvals would be significantly restricted. This category may still permit entry for wealthy business travelers while barring immigrant and tourist visas. Countries on this list include Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan. Citizens of these nations would also be subject to mandatory in-person interviews before visa approval.
A "yellow" list of 22 countries has also been proposed, giving these nations a 60-day window to address security concerns or risk stricter travel limitations. This group includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.
The list was initially compiled by the State Department, with input from various embassies, intelligence agencies, and security specialists. Officials stress that changes could be made before a final order reaches the White House.
The rationale behind including certain countries remains unclear, particularly in cases such as Bhutan, which has no history of security threats against the U.S.
The proposed ban is expected to face legal and political challenges. During Trump’s first term, his travel restrictions were partially blocked by courts, though the Supreme Court later upheld a revised version affecting several Muslim-majority countries.
President Biden revoked the previous travel bans upon taking office in 2021, calling them discriminatory and inconsistent with American values. However, Trump argues that reinstating such bans is necessary to protect national security and prevent potential threats.
Source: The New York Times
BDST: 1539 HRS, MAR 15, 2025
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