According to a draft list of travel ban and restriction recommendations developed by diplomatic and security officials, the Trump administration is considering imposing travel regulations ranging from an outright ban to severe restrictions entering the United States on at least 43 countries, going further than the travel bans imposed during his first term.
The “red” list of 11 countries—Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen—would mean that their citizens would be outright barred from any travel to the United States, while travelers from an “orange” list of 10 countries—Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan—would face travel restrictions, including those on immigrant or tourist visas, but may be allowed to travel for business purposes.
Additionally, a “yellow” list contains 22 countries—including Angola, Cambodia, and Zimbabwe—that would be given 60 days to resolve issues that do not comply with the Trump administration’s restrictions, including inadequate security guidelines or a loophole that would sell citizenship to people from banned countries. Otherwise, these countries would be moved to one of the other two lists.
Regulations for Existing Visa or Green Card Holders
It is currently unclear whether or not existing holders of visas and green cards, who are lawfully approved for residency, would be exempt from the ban. However, this draft list goes much further than the countries sanctioned in Trump’s first-term travel bans, which were reversed by Biden with an executive order on day one of his presidency in 2021.
When Trump took office in January, he issued an executive order reinstating these travel bans, stating that “the United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those aliens approved for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans or our national interests.”
Contact an Immigration Lawyer Today
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Contact us today to speak with one of our immigration attorneys regarding recent legislative changes, and for help with setting up your case for success.
