The Trump administration is considering a travel ban affecting citizens from 43 countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Russia. Countries are categorized into Red, Orange, and Yellow Lists based on travel restrictions, with the Red List facing complete entry bans. Affluent business travelers may be exempt from some restrictions on the Orange List, while the Yellow List requires countries to address deficiencies within a specified timeframe.
The Trump administration is contemplating a new travel ban that may impact citizens from up to 43 nations, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Russia, as reported by The New York Times. A draft proposal categorizes countries into three groups for travel restrictions: Red, Orange, and Yellow. Countries on the Red List would face a complete ban on entry into the United States.
Pakistan and Russia fall under the “Orange List,” which comprises 10 nations facing travel restrictions rather than outright bans. Affluent business travelers might gain entry, while immigrant and tourist visa applicants would face stringent regulations, including mandatory in-person interviews for visa acquisition, as indicated by The New York Times.
Other nations included in the “Orange List” are Myanmar, Belarus, Haiti, Laos, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan. The draft also places 10 countries, such as Afghanistan and Bhutan, on the Red List, suggesting a complete suspension of visas for their citizens.
Additionally, the Red List includes Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. The draft proposal features a “Yellow List” comprising 22 nations that will be granted 60 days to rectify perceived deficiencies, or risk being moved to either of the other lists.
Concerns highlighted in the proposal include inadequate sharing of traveler information with the United States and insufficient security measures for passport issuance, as well as potential citizenship sales to individuals from banned countries. Countries on the “Yellow List” include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, and several others.
This marks the second travel ban initiated by President Trump, who previously implemented such restrictions in his first term, affecting citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries. That initial ban underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, targeting Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, according to Al Jazeera.
In summary, the Trump administration’s proposed travel ban may affect citizens from 43 countries, establishing distinct categories that impose varying degrees of restrictions. The implementation of this ban could result in significant challenges for individuals seeking visas, particularly from nations placed on the Red and Orange Lists. The administration’s recent proposals mirror previous efforts to control immigration from specific regions, particularly those identified as security risks.
Original Source: www.business-standard.com
