President Donald J. Trump‘s administration is reportedly preparing to broaden a travel ban, affecting 43 countries categorized into three levels of perceived security threat. Draft plans suggest citizens from 11 nations, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Syria, would face a complete entry ban, having been placed on the “red” list. Meanwhile, the “orange” list, containing 10 countries including Belarus, Haiti, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Russia, would require citizens to undergo in-person interviews for visa eligibility.
Across the third level, the “yellow” list, there are 22 countries, primarily located in Africa. These nations have been granted a 60-day timeframe to enhance their security measures, with failure to do so potentially resulting in reclassification to the more restrictive lists. This move follows an executive order signed two months earlier by President Trump, instructing officials to pinpoint countries with inadequate vetting systems.
🚨Update: Draft 3-tier Trump travel BAN to hit 43 countries! — NYT
NO ENTRY for 11 ‘red’ countries!
Visas for Russians, Belarusians and Pakistanis ‘sharply restricted!’
Many African nations on ‘yellow’ list! pic.twitter.com/pfap4YFbxV
— US Homeland Security News (@defense_civil25) March 15, 2025
The White House has emphasized that no definitive decision has been made regarding the final implementation of the proposed travel restrictions. The administration states that the lists are still under review and adjustments could be made based on further diplomatic engagements and assessments of security practices. The draft proposal represents an extension of President Trump’s longstanding focus on national security and immigration vetting processes.
The proposal is seeing pushback from far-left open-borders advocacy groups and is expected to spur legal intervention by federal courts. The administration, however, maintains that the aim of the proposed measures is to safeguard the nation by ensuring proper vetting of foreign nationals entering the United States.