The U.S. State Department reportedly has a draft list of 43 countries affected by travel bans under President Trump. The list is categorized into red (total ban), orange (visa restrictions), and yellow (60 days to address concerns). Notable countries on the red list include Bhutan and North Korea, while Pakistan is categorized as orange. The yellow list includes various Caribbean and African nations.
The United States State Department has reportedly circulated a draft list identifying 43 countries that may be subject to President Donald Trump’s travel ban. The categorization includes a red list, denoting countries facing a complete ban, an orange list with severe visa restrictions, and a yellow list that allows a 60-day period for countries to resolve concerns raised by the U.S.
Notably, the red list encompasses countries such as North Korea, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, and surprisingly, Bhutan. This inclusion has stirred confusion among Bhutanese citizens, attributed to a 2023 immigration fraud involving Nepalese individuals posing as Bhutanese refugees. Interestingly, Iraq has been omitted from the red list despite its ongoing issues.
Among those on the orange list is Pakistan, which may cause concern for the Pakistani diaspora in the United States. Also included are Russia and its ally Belarus, while Ukraine, despite poor relations with the U.S. administration, remains off the list. The orange list further features Laos and Myanmar from Asia, along with Turkmenistan from Central Asia.
The yellow list includes a variety of countries, some of which have raised eyebrows such as Caribbean nations like St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, where an Indian student is missing. Additionally, Cambodia and Vanuatu, the latter being associated with Indian businessman Lalit Modi’s migration attempts, are also listed. Compounding the list are sixteen African nations, including Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, and Eritrea, which have been categorized as yellow.
In summary, the draft list from the U.S. State Department outlines significant travel restrictions for citizens of 43 nations, categorized into three tiers: complete bans, restricted visas, and a 60-day resolution period. Surprising inclusions like Bhutan and Russia, along with notable omissions such as Iraq, reveal the complex and dynamic nature of U.S. immigration policy. The situation remains fluid as countries respond to their categorization.
Original Source: www.rediff.com
