The U.S. State Department has circulated a draft list of 43 nations possibly subject to President Trump’s travel ban. It categorizes nations into red (total ban), orange (restricted visas), and yellow (60 days to comply). Surprising inclusions like Bhutan and Afghanistan raise concerns, while countries such as Iraq are notably absent.
A draft list circulating within the U.S. State Department reportedly identifies 43 nations that may be included in President Donald Trump’s travel ban. The classifications are color-coded: red indicates total bans, orange denotes significant visa restrictions, and yellow means the nations have 60 days to resolve U.S. concerns.
Among the nations in the red category is Bhutan, a peaceful Buddhist nation, which has surprised its citizens. The potential reason for the ban seems to be linked to a 2023 immigration scam involving Nepalese individuals falsely identifying as Bhutanese refugees. Other expected nations in the red list include North Korea, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, with Afghanistan being a notable new addition and Iraq conspicuously absent.
Cuba and Venezuela are also listed under the red category, while Pakistan appears in the orange category, a revelation that may uplift concerns among its diaspora in the United States. Russia and its ally Belarus are similarly categorized. Notably, Ukraine, despite receiving unfavorable treatment from the White House, is not included in the list.
The orange list also features Laos, Myanmar, and Turkmenistan from Asia. Conversely, the yellow list has raised eyebrows with several Caribbean nations such as St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica, where an Indian student is currently missing, also included.
Cambodia, known for Angkor Wat, makes an appearance on the yellow list, alongside Vanuatu, a nation in Oceania associated with the controversial figure Lalit Modi. Additionally, 16 African nations, including Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, were marked yellow.
In summary, President Trump’s proposed travel ban list comprises 43 nations categorized into three groups: red, orange, and yellow. The inclusion of nations such as Bhutan and Afghanistan in the red list and the absence of Iraq is particularly noteworthy. The diverse representation across continents underscores the complex and often unpredictable nature of U.S. immigration policies under the current administration.
Original Source: www.rediff.com
