The Trump administration is considering imposing broad travel restrictions on nationals from dozens of countries as part of President Trump’s new prohibition, according to sources familiar with the situation and an official document obtained by Reuters.
The document lists 41 countries, separated into three sections, with varying levels of visa suspensions. The top ten countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, would face full visa suspension.
This means that nationals from these countries would not be able to obtain visas to travel to the United States under any category.
In the second group, five nations Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan would experience partial restrictions.
These would specifically affect tourist, student, and other immigration visas, with some exceptions in place. The third group consists of 26 nations, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, which would be evaluated for a partial suspension of visa issuance to the United States.
However, these restrictions would only take effect if their governments fail to address specific deficiencies within 60 days. The memo outlining these measures indicates that the U.S. government is pressuring these countries to enhance their vetting and security cooperation.
A U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity stressed that the list is not final and could still change.
The official also stated that the list had yet to receive full government approval, including from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The New York Times was the first to report on the list of countries under consideration for visa restrictions. This proposal closely resembles President Donald Trump’s first-term travel ban, which initially targeted travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries.
That policy underwent multiple changes before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
On January 20, Trump issued an executive order requiring increased security screening for foreigners seeking entry into the United States. The order aims to identify any national security concerns among potential travelers. It also directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries by March 21 whose vetting and screening procedures were deemed insufficient.
Based on that assessment, travel from those nations could be partially or entirely suspended. This new policy aligns with Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which he has prioritized since the beginning of his second term in office.
During an October 2023 address, Trump outlined his immigration policy, promising to impose strict limitations on individuals from specific regions.
He cited the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other locations he described as threats to U.S. national security.
His administration argues that these measures are necessary to protect the country from potential security risks and prevent foreign nationals from entering the United States without thorough vetting.
However, critics argue that such policies unfairly target certain countries and populations, potentially straining diplomatic relations. The full details of the travel restrictions remain uncertain as the administration continues to refine its approach.
