In a move reminiscent of previous travel bans, the Trump administration is considering issuing new travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries. An internal memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three groups. The first group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, would face a full visa suspension. The second group includes countries such as Eritrea and Myanmar, which would face partial suspensions impacting various types of visas. The third group consists of 26 countries that would potentially face a partial suspension if they do not address deficiencies within 60 days.
While the list of countries has not yet been approved by the administration, the move indicates a potential escalation of travel restrictions that the Trump administration could implement. The New York Times was the first to report on the list, which comes as part of President Trump’s directive for intensified security vetting of foreigners seeking admission to the US. The directive calls for suspensions for countries with deficient vetting and screening information to address national security threats.
This latest move from the Trump administration is part of an overall immigration crackdown launched at the start of his second term. Trump previously outlined his plan in a speech, indicating a desire to restrict travelers from countries such as the Gaza Strip, Libya, and Yemen. The new travel restrictions would build upon previous policies targeting certain nations, particularly those with majority-Muslim populations. Despite potential changes to the list of countries, the administration’s stance on tightening security measures for foreign travelers remains a focal point.
The potential travel restrictions could impact a wide range of countries, affecting citizens seeking visas for travel, study, and immigration purposes. The US official who disclosed the information mentioned that changes to the list were possible, underscoring the uncertainty around the plan’s final details. Among the countries listed are Cuba, Syria, and Turkmenistan, indicating a broad scope of nations that could face visa suspensions. The State Department has yet to provide a comment on the proposed restrictions, leaving the future of the plan in question.
President Trump’s executive order on intensified security vetting and potential travel suspensions signals a continuation of his administration’s hardline stance on immigration. The order directs cabinet members to submit a list of countries with deficient vetting information for potential suspensions by March 21. This move echoes Trump’s previous policies, particularly his first-term ban on travelers from majority-Muslim nations, which eventually received approval from the Supreme Court. As the proposal moves forward, it remains to be seen how it will impact international travelers and relations with the affected countries.
