The U.S. State Department reportedly has a draft list of 43 countries potentially facing travel bans under President Trump’s administration. The list divides countries into red, orange, and yellow categories based on the severity of visa restrictions. Notably, Bhutan’s inclusion has surprised many, alongside countries like North Korea and Afghanistan, while Pakistan, Russia, and Cambodia feature in the orange or yellow categories.
According to a report by The New York Times, a draft list circulating within the U.S. State Department identifies 43 countries that may be included on President Donald Trump’s ban list. This list categorizes countries into three colors: red, orange, and yellow. The red list features nations whose citizens face a total ban, while the orange list includes those with sharply restricted visas, and the yellow list contains countries given 60 days to address U.S. concerns.
Among the countries on the red list, Bhutan’s inclusion has surprised many, particularly its citizens. Reports from The Bhutanese suggest that the possible reason for this ban stems from a 2023 immigration scam where Nepalese nationals misrepresented themselves as Bhutanese refugees in order to migrate to the U.S. Other countries on the red list include North Korea, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, and notably, Afghanistan. Interestingly, Iraq is absent from this list, while Cuba and Venezuela are included.
Pakistan, a neighboring country to India, is placed on the orange list, which is expected to alarm the Pakistani diaspora in the U.S. Additionally, Russia and Belarus are also featured on the orange list, raising eyebrows considering their political relations. In contrast, Ukraine is notably absent from this list, despite President Zelenskyy’s controversial interaction with the White House.
The yellow list contains countries that have been requested to resolve certain issues within a two-month timeframe. This list includes several Caribbean nations such as St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, where an Indian student is currently missing, prompting FBI involvement. Cambodia, known for its Angkor Wat temple, along with Vanuatu from Oceania, and 16 African nations including Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, are also categorized under yellow.
In summary, the proposed U.S. travel ban list has elicited significant reactions, particularly regarding Bhutan’s inclusion and other unexpected omissions. This list includes various nations categorized by visa restrictions and is indicative of ongoing immigration policies under the Trump administration. It invites further scrutiny and debate regarding the implications for international relations and human mobility.
In conclusion, the potential travel ban list identifies 43 countries across three color-coded categories based on visa restrictions. The inclusion of Bhutan on the red list has provoked surprise and concern, particularly due to a featuring immigration scam. Noteworthy is the absence of expected nations such as Iraq, while others like Russia and Pakistan appear on the orange list. The yellow list presents a diverse set of countries required to address U.S. concerns within a stipulated timeframe, indicating complex implications for international relations under President Trump’s policies.
Original Source: www.rediff.com
