U.S. authorities are considering new travel restrictions for citizens of several countries, including some Arab nations, according to reports from Saturday.
The proposed changes would create a “red” list of 11 countries whose citizens would be entirely barred from entering the U.S. This list includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Additionally, there would be an “orange” list of 10 countries where travel would face significant limitations but not a complete ban. Citizens from these nations would be required to undergo mandatory in-person interviews to apply for a visa. While wealthy business travelers may still be permitted entry, those seeking immigrant or tourist visas would face more intense scrutiny. Countries on this list include Russia, Belarus, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Turkmenistan, Eritrea, and South Sudan.
A third “yellow” category would apply to countries whose citizens would face partial or full travel restrictions. These nations include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Vanuatu, Gambia, the Dominican Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, the Congo, Liberia, Mauritania, Malawi, Mali, São Tomé and Príncipe, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Chad, and Equatorial Guinea.
One notable change is that Iraq is no longer included in the proposed restrictions, a shift from the first term of former President Donald Trump’s administration, when Iraq was part of a similar travel ban.
Upon taking office in January 2017, Trump issued an executive order directing the State Department to review countries with inadequate vetting procedures, with the goal of suspending entry for their nationals. The department was tasked with providing a report to the White House within 60 days, which is expected to be submitted next week.
Although the proposal is still being reviewed, officials have indicated that modifications may be made before the final rules are released. These new measures are anticipated to go further than the restrictions set during Trump’s first term.
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