Including Cameroon, Haiti, Cambodia, Russia, Cuba, Iran.
President Donald Trump has proposed an expanded travel ban for his second term, targeting forty-three countries in a new three-tier system.
The proposal is part of an executive order signed on January 20, directing cabinet members to identify nations whose citizens should face travel restrictions to the United States due to “deficient vetting and screening information.”
This action follows a previous travel ban implemented during his first term and aims to increase national security by limiting entry from high-risk nations.
The proposal, which was developed by the U.S. State Department weeks ago, is still in draft form, with officials indicating that it may undergo changes before being finalized.
According to reports, the draft list is organized into three categories—red, orange, and yellow—to define the level of restriction for each country.
While no final decision has been made, the administration is in the process of reviewing the accuracy of the list and determining which countries should be subject to additional screening.
Red List: Full Travel Ban
The “red” list includes 11 countries whose citizens would be entirely banned from entering the United States.
These countries have been deemed to have significant deficiencies in their vetting and screening procedures, which, according to the administration, pose a national security risk.
The countries on the red list are:
Afghanistan
Bhutan
Cuba
Iran
Libya
North Korea
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela
Yemen
Citizens from these nations would be fully prohibited from entering the U.S., as the government seeks to enhance its security measures in light of ongoing global threats.
Orange List: Limited Travel Restrictions
The “orange” list includes 10 countries whose citizens would face limited restrictions.
While not entirely banned, individuals from these nations would be required to undergo additional vetting measures, such as in-person interviews, to obtain a visa for travel to the U.S.
The countries on the orange list include:
Belarus
Eritrea
Haiti
Laos
Myanmar
Pakistan
Russia
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Turkmenistan
These countries have been flagged for deficiencies in their vetting processes, and the U.S. government is closely monitoring their ability to address these concerns.
Yellow List: Potential Future Restrictions
The “yellow” list contains 22 countries, mostly from Africa, that have 60 days to address concerns regarding their vetting and screening procedures. If these countries do not improve, they risk being placed on the red or orange lists.
The countries on the yellow list are:
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Benin
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Chad
Republic of Congo
Democratic Republic of Congo
Dominica
Equatorial Guinea
Gambia
Liberia
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
São Tomé and Príncipe
Vanuatu
Zimbabwe
Impact on US Immigration Policy
The travel ban is part of Trump’s ongoing efforts to secure U.S. borders and protect citizens from potential threats.
His January 20 executive order emphasized the need to prevent individuals from entering the U.S. who may pose security risks, including those involved in terrorism, hate groups, or criminal activities.
Former President Joe Biden reversed Trump’s travel bans on his first day in office in 2021, calling them inconsistent with America’s tradition of welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds.
