THE EVOLUTION OF THE U.S. TRAVEL BAN: NEW RESTRICTIONS AND GLOBAL IMPACT
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What began in 2017 as a travel restriction targeting seven predominantly Muslim nations has since evolved into a broader and more complex policy affecting multiple countries worldwide. Initially, the ban barred citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen from entering the United States. Over time, Venezuela and North Korea were added, followed by another wave of restrictions in 2020, which included Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Sudan, and Tanzania.
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The expansion of the travel ban has caused major disruptions, limiting access to the U.S. for thousands of people, delaying visa approvals, and leaving many in limbo regarding their future plans. Despite ongoing discussions, a senior White House official told *The Independent* that no final decision has been made regarding the latest set of restrictions. However, sources suggest that the State Department recently drafted a new three-tier classification system that is expected to undergo revisions before being officially adopted.
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A NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
The proposed travel ban framework divides affected countries into three categories based on the severity of entry restrictions:
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RED LIST – COMPLETE ENTRY BAN
Applies to 11 nations, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Citizens from these countries would be entirely prohibited from entering the U.S.
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ORANGE LIST – LIMITED ENTRY WITH STRICT VISA REQUIREMENTS
Applies to 10 nations, including Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan. Travelers from these countries would need to apply for specific visas and undergo mandatory in-person interviews.
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YELLOW LIST – 60-DAY WINDOW FOR SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS
22 nations, mostly in Africa, have been given a 60-day deadline to improve their security measures and address alleged vetting deficiencies. Countries such as Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, and Zimbabwe fall under this category. If they fail to meet the U.S. government’s security standards, they could be moved to the more restrictive red or orange lists.
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TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDER AND THE FUTURE OF THE BAN
On January 20, former President Donald Trump issued an executive order directing his administration to identify nations that should face partial or full travel restrictions. His justification for the directive was that these countries lacked adequate screening and security measures. As policymakers deliberate on the future of the travel ban, its effects on global mobility, international relations, and immigrant communities remain a contentious issue.
