The administration of US President Donald Trump is planning to impose new travel restrictions on citizens of 43 countries around the world. This information has been given in a report by the New York Times. According to the report, US diplomatic and security officials have prepared a draft list in this regard. However, some changes may occur before reaching a final decision.
The draft list has been divided into three categories: red, orange and yellow. Citizens of 11 countries on the ‘red’ list will be subject to a complete travel ban. This list includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. Citizens of these countries will not be able to enter the United States.
The issuance of new visas for citizens of 10 countries on the ‘orange’ list will be stopped. However, existing visa holders will be able to enter the United States. This list includes Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Turkmenistan.
The 22 countries on the “yellow” list will be given 60 days to address the Trump administration’s concerns. If they do not meet US security requirements within that time, they could also be subject to travel restrictions. Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe are on the “yellow” list.
The Trump administration claims that the travel ban is necessary to protect US citizens. But critics say it discriminates against Muslim and African countries.