US may impose travel ban on citizens of 43 countries – Draft list released

The United States (US) is planning to impose a travel ban on citizens of 43 countries. The restrictions would be broader than the ones imposed during the first term of Donald Trump.

As per the draft list, these countries will be divided into three categories.

Total travel ban to the US for citizens of 11 countries

The countries will be divided into three lists: red, orange, and yellow.

As per the New York Times, citizens of the countries listed in the red list will be barred from entering the US. The tentative red list includes:

1. Afghanistan
2. Bhutan
3. Cuba
4. Iran
5. Libya
6. North Korea
7. Somalia
8. Sudan
9. Syria
10. Venezuela
11. Yemen

Although the list was developed by the State Department, changes are likely as it is being reviewed by officials.

Other two lists

Apart from the list of countries whose citizens may face a total travel ban to the US, there are two other lists. The first list, termed as ‘orange,’ includes 10 countries whose affluent business travelers might be allowed to travel to the US. However, ordinary citizens from these countries are likely to face hurdles while applying for visas.

The countries on the list are:

1. Belarus
2. Eritrea
3. Haiti
4. Laos
5. Myanmar
6. Pakistan
7. Russia
8. Sierra Leone
9. South Sudan
10. Turkmenistan

The proposal also includes a draft ‘yellow’ list of 22 countries. These countries may get 60 days to clear up perceived deficiencies. The countries are:

1. Angola
2. Antigua and Barbuda
3. Benin
4. Burkina Faso
5. Cambodia
6. Cameroon
7. Cape Verde
8. Chad
9. Republic of Congo
10. Democratic Republic of Congo
11. Dominica
12. Equatorial Guinea
13. Gambia
14. Liberia
15. Malawi
16. Mali
17. Mauritania
18. St. Kitts and Nevis
19. St. Lucia
20. Sao Tome and Principe
21. Vanuatu
22. Zimbabwe

These lists are still in the draft stage. The final list of countries is likely to be finalized soon.