The Trump administration is considering imposing varying degrees of travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries, according to international media reports.
The New York Times, citing anonymous officials, first reported on March 14 that a draft memo includes 43 countries , categorized into three groups. However, Reuters, referencing an internal memo alongside anonymous sources, reported that the list contains 41 countries .
The proposed categories range from full and partial visa suspensions to a group of nations recommended for partial suspension if they fail to address security and procedural ‘deficiencies’. Both news organizations noted that the list could be a subject to change and has yet to receive final approval from the Trump administration.
According to The New York Times, the draft categorization includes 11 countries – Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen – on the ‘Red’ list (complete travel ban); 10 countries – Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan – on the ‘Orange’ list (severe visa restrictions); and 22 countries – Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cabo Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe on the ‘Yellow” list (with 60-day compliance window.
Meanwhile, Reuters provides a slightly different breakdown: Full Visa Suspension (10 countries): Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen; Partial Visa Suspension ( five countries): Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan; and Recommended for partial suspension if they do not address ‘deficiencies’ (26 countries): Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Turkmenistan, and Vanuatu.
On his first day back in office, President Trump issued an executive order calling for intensified security vetting of all foreigners seeking entry into the US on national security grounds.
The order directed key cabinet officials to submit, by March 21, a list of countries subject to full or partial travel suspensions due to “insufficient vetting and screening procedures,” Reuters reported.
The Trump administration has intensified immigration crackdowns, resulting in the deportation of thousands of ‘illegal’ immigrants, including individuals from Nepal, in recent weeks.
The headline has been updated for clarity.
