Washington D.C.: In a major policy move, U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to impose travel restrictions on 43 countries worldwide, according to official sources. The nations, which include Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Russia, have reportedly been categorized into three lists: Red, Orange, and Yellow, each signifying varying levels of restrictions for entry into the United States.
Complete Ban for Red List Countries
Countries under the Red List will face total entry bans for their citizens. These include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Citizens from these nations will not be permitted to enter the U.S. under any circumstance, including for tourism, migration, or business.
Partial Restrictions for Orange List Nations
Nations categorized under the Orange List will face partial restrictions. Entry will be limited to individuals involved in essential services or business matters, while tourists and migrants will not be allowed entry. These individuals must undergo in-depth personal interviews before receiving entry clearance.
Countries on the Orange List include:
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Myanmar
- Belarus
- Haiti
- Laos
- Eritrea
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Turkmenistan
Yellow List: A Warning and Window for Compliance
A Yellow List draft has been prepared for 22 countries, which serves as a warning tier. These countries are being urged to address security concerns such as passport fraud, immigration irregularities, and travel document verification. If these nations do not make the necessary improvements within a 60-day grace period, they risk being moved to either the Red or Orange lists.
Countries on the Yellow List include:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Congo
- Mali
- Liberia
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe, among others.
Second Major Travel Ban Move by Trump
This marks President Trump’s second major travel ban initiative. During his first term, Trump faced global criticism for imposing a travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries—Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen—citing national security concerns.
In defense of the new restrictions, senior U.S. officials argue that the move aims to enhance national security and prevent illegal immigration. However, civil rights groups and international leaders are expected to raise concerns over the scope and implications of such sweeping measures.
As of now, no official date has been announced for the implementation of the proposed travel bans, but insiders suggest the policy is in its final stages and may be enacted in the coming weeks.
