US Travel Ban List to Expand with Addition of 36 New Countries
As per the latest update on the US travel ban list by the Washington Post, an internal memo by the Trump administration sets a 60-day timeframe for 36 countries. The memo states that these countries must align their policies or be ready to face partial or even a full US travel ban. The Republican president signed an executive order earlier this month banning the entry of citizens from 12 countries by adding to the red list and 7 countries to the orange list. The addition of new countries to the yellow list is a part of the immigration crackdown the US president launched during the start of his second term.
US Travel Ban List Grows as New Countries Are Added
US Travel Ban List Grows as New Countries Are AddedThe countries labeled for US travel ban list could face US visa bans or other travel restrictions include 25 African countries and some Caribbean citizenship by investment countries. The spokesperson of the US State Department refused to comment on internal communications while the White House didn’t respond either.
The Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed the memo and sent to US diplomats working with the countries listed in the US yellow list for travel restrictions. The countries have now 60 days to ensure compliance with the new benchmarks and provide an initial action plan within the deadline.
US Three Tier Travel Ban List
The three tiers travel ban list includes red, orange and yellow segregations. Citizens from countries in the red list will be completely banned for US travel, people holding citizenships of orange list countries will have restricted access while the countries in the yellow list will be given a time frame to rectify their policies.
The new addition to US travel bans scrutiny under the yellow category includes the following countries:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ethiopia
- Egypt
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Ivory Coast
- Kyrgyzstan
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
US Travel Ban List: Memo Highlights Reasons Behind Country Inclusions
The memo by the Marco Rubio highlights the reasons for inclusion of 36 countries to US travel ban list stating that these countries were behind the benchmark. He stated that some countries had either no “competent or cooperative central government authority to produce reliable identity documents or other civil documents” or “widespread government fraud”.
Some countries were also included due to overstay and thus fall under the US overstay visa penalty. Further, some countries offering citizenship in return for investment without residency requirements are also under the radar.
No Immediate Travel Restrictions
Though the memo highlights the inclusion of countries to US travel ban list under yellow category for strict scrutiny, there is no clear statement on when the travel ban will be imposed in case of failure to latest benchmarks.
US Travel Ban Red List Countries
The US travel ban red list countries are completely banned from US travel. The list includes:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- The Republic of Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
US Travel Ban Orange List Countries
President Trump includes 7 countries whose citizens cannot come to US permanently, on US tourist visa or a US student visa with exception to US business visas.
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Conclusion
The new addition of 36 countries to yellow list shows the intent of Trump administration to curtail immigrants and countries who are not following instructions. The new list of 36 countries includes 7 CBI countries, i.e., Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, Vanuatu, Cambodia and Egypt need to enforce compliance as per requirements. Keeping in view the track record, CBI countries will amend their citizenship programs and within the stipulated timeframe. Industry experts state that CBI countries will retain exclusivity to get a 10-year US visa by aligning their policies as per requirements.
