Donald Trump is set to reinstate his controversial “travel ban” policy from his first term, expanding the list of restricted countries.
The administration is finalizing an executive order that would bar citizens from a new list of blacklisted countries from entering the United States, The New York Times and Reuters reported.
The move falls under the executive order titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other”, which Trump signed on January 20. The order claims it aims to safeguard national security by blocking entry to individuals deemed a potential threat.
Under the 78-year-old’s directive, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have 60 days to finalize the list of countries facing restrictions.
According to Reuters, the following countries are reportedly on the “red list”, meaning their citizens could be completely barred from entering the US:
- Sudan
- Venezuela
- Somalia
- Syria
- Yemen
- Iran
- Libya
- Cuba
- North Korea
- Pakistan (expected to be added)
- Afghanistan (expected to be added)
During his first term, Trump imposed several travel bans targeting mostly Muslim-majority nations.
His Travel Ban 3.0, enacted in 2017, restricted entry from Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and Somalia.
His Travel Ban 4.0, implemented later, restricted immigration from additional countries but did not affect non-immigrant visa applications. Those impacted included Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Sudan.
Biden repealed the bans on his first day in office in 2021, calling them “a stain on our national conscience.” Now, with Trump back in the White House, reports suggest a new version of the ban is imminent.
This time, Trump’s administration is reportedly considering a tiered system to categorize countries based on security concerns.
Red List: A complete ban on entry. Orange List: Limits on visa applications, with in-person interviews required for approval. Yellow List: Countries given 60 days to improve their security screening processes or risk stricter restrictions.
If Pakistan is not placed on the red list, it is expected to land in the orange tier, according to The NYT.
Experts warn that US citizens could face increased scrutiny or travel restrictions when visiting countries on the new ban list.
Zane Kerby, CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors, told Travel Weekly that “blanket ‘entire country’ travel bans constrain legitimate business and discourage friendly foreign visitors,” adding that they could also invite “retaliation from targeted countries and their allies.”
The looming ban has already created uncertainty among individuals from affected countries.
Advocacy groups working to evacuate Afghans with valid US visas have advised them to make travel arrangements immediately, fearing they could be shut out if the policy takes effect soon.
While Trump has yet to make an official announcement, the growing speculation has already reignited debates over the effectiveness and fairness of broad travel bans.
