Trump administration considers expanding travel ban to 43 countries: Report

Russia, Pakistan, North Korea on list: Report

The Donald Trump administration is reportedly planning to impose sweeping travel restrictions on citizens from 43 countries as part of a new travel ban, continuing its immigration crackdown since the start of Trump’s second term in January. The proposal, revealed in an internal memo obtained by The New York Times, categorizes countries into three groups based on their security screening and vetting deficiencies.

Three-tiered travel ban proposal

The proposed travel restrictions divide the 43 affected countries into three categories:

• Red List (11 countries) – Complete travel ban.
• Orange List (10 countries) – Strict visa restrictions, allowing entry only for affluent business travelers.
• Yellow List (22 countries) – Given 60 days to improve screening processes or risk further restrictions.

Red List: Full travel ban

The red list includes 11 countries whose citizens would be completely barred from entering the United States:

• Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

The State Department developed this list based on intelligence reports and national security assessments. Officials at US embassies, regional bureaus, security agencies, and intelligence agencies are currently reviewing the draft, meaning the list is subject to change before final approval.

Orange List: Strict visa restrictions

The orange list consists of 10 countries, where immigrant and tourist visas would be suspended, but affluent business travelers may still be allowed entry. Additionally, citizens from these countries would have to undergo mandatory in-person interviews before receiving a visa.

• Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.

Pakistan’s inclusion raises questions

Pakistan, which is on the orange list, is one of the most terrorism-affected nations in the world, according to security assessments. The New York Times highlighted that Pakistan’s placement in the restricted category aligns with Trump’s stricter immigration policies aimed at improving national security.

Yellow List: 60-day compliance period

The yellow list, the largest category, includes 22 countries. These nations are given 60 days to address vetting deficiencies or risk being moved to the orange or red lists.

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 Trump administration has warned that failure to comply with security and vetting standards could result in stricter measures against these countries.

Trump’s immigration crackdown

Shortly after his second inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring enhanced security vetting of all foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States. The order mandated that US cabinet members submit a list by March 21, identifying countries that fail to meet US security standards. This draft list, now under review, was prepared based on national security risks, intelligence reports, and diplomatic assessments.

As part of his immigration policies, the Trump administration has also deported illegal immigrants to their home countries, including India. The chaining and shackling of deportees have drawn criticism from several nations.

Uncertainties over implementation

While the travel ban proposal is under review, a US official speaking on the condition of anonymity noted that the list is not yet finalized. Unanswered questions include:

• Whether existing visa holders from affected countries would be exempt from the ban.
• Whether green card holders from these nations would be allowed to stay in the US.

Surprising inclusions in the ban

While most nations on the list have tense diplomatic relations with the US, some inclusions raised eyebrows. Bhutan, a small Buddhist and Hindu nation between China and India, is on the red list, despite both its neighbors being excluded. Russia’s presence on the orange list is also surprising, given that the Trump administration has actively worked to improve ties with the Kremlin.

Past legal battles over travel bans

During Trump’s first term, multiple court rulings blocked his first two travel bans. However, in 2021, President Joe Biden revoked Trump’s immigration bans, calling them “a stain on our national conscience” and inconsistent with America’s history of welcoming people of all backgrounds.

Reviving the travel ban

In his January executive order, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to national security, justifying the travel restrictions as a measure to protect US citizens from individuals “who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten national security, espouse hateful ideology, or exploit immigration laws.”

With final approval expected soon, the Trump administration is preparing to reinstate and expand its travel restrictions, sparking renewed debate over immigration policies, national security, and foreign relations.

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