Ahead of possible U.S. visa restrictions, Cambodia remains optimistic about a positive outcome owing to its cooperation in handling deportation orders. The Trump administration is set to categorize 43 countries into Red, Orange, and Yellow lists, with Cambodia on the Yellow list. Cooperation remains critical as the country plans to address concerns raised by U.S. authorities concerning deportations.
In anticipation of potential new U.S. visa restrictions, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is optimistic about receiving favorable consideration due to the Kingdom’s cooperation regarding citizens facing deportation orders from the U.S. Recent reports suggest that the Trump administration plans to impose new travel restrictions on 43 countries, categorizing them into three levels of severity: Red, Orange, and Yellow.
Cambodia is identified among 21 nations on the Yellow list, which denotes the least restrictive measures. In contrast, countries classified under Red will face entry bans, including Afghanistan, Cuba, and North Korea. The Orange category imposes heavy restrictions on countries, including Belarus and Myanmar.
Those on the Yellow list will be afforded 60 days to amend any unspecified concerns by the administration or risk being categorized into a more severe tier. Although details surrounding these concerns remain elusive, they likely pertain to the deportation of Cambodians involved in offenses in the U.S.
Chum Sounry, the spokesperson for Cambodia’s foreign ministry, stated that no formal notification regarding these restrictions has been received and that the ministry is actively pursuing clarifications through diplomatic channels. He emphasized that Cambodia has fully cooperated with the U.S. to facilitate the repatriation of Cambodians under removal orders.
Chum Sounry reaffirmed that cooperation among Cambodian authorities, including the Ministry of Interior and the embassy in the U.S., has been robust, thus potentially easing deportation processes. He indicated that given Cambodia’s demonstrated collaboration and the generally positive rapport between the two nations, they are hopeful for favorable outcomes going forward. As of November 2024, 1,747 Cambodians were reported to be awaiting deportation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In summary, Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a positive outlook regarding potential U.S. visa restrictions due to their commitment to repatriating citizens under removal orders. With the possibility of being placed on a Yellow list of countries, Cambodia has demonstrated full cooperation with U.S. authorities, indicating a strong commitment to bilateral relations and the expeditious handling of deportations. The final outcome will depend on addressing the unnamed concerns within the designated timeframe.
Original Source: vietnamnews.vn
