Trump Administration Weighs Sweeping Travel Ban on 41 Countries/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration is considering a broad travel ban targeting citizens from 41 countries, according to an internal memo. The proposal divides nations into three categories, with 10 facing full visa suspensions and others subject to partial restrictions. The new policy echoes Trump’s first-term travel bans, which were upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. The final list is pending approval, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio among those reviewing the measure before a March 21 deadline.
Trump’s Travel Ban Proposal Quick Looks:
- Sweeping Restrictions: The memo targets 41 countries, proposing full or partial visa suspensions.
- 10 Countries Face Full Visa Bans: This includes Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea.
- Five Nations Face Partial Suspensions: Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan could see student and tourist visa restrictions.
- 26 Countries Given a Warning: Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan are among nations at risk of losing visas if they fail to improve security measures within 60 days.
- Awaiting Final Approval: The proposal requires sign-off from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and could be modified before March 21.
Trump Administration Weighs Sweeping Travel Ban on 41 Countries
Deep Look:
Trump Administration Moves Toward Expanding Travel Ban
President Donald Trump is considering a major expansion of travel restrictions, potentially affecting citizens from 41 countries, according to sources familiar with the plan.
A leaked internal memo outlines three levels of restrictions, ranging from full visa suspensions to conditional bans depending on security compliance.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The proposed ban divides nations into three groups:
- FULL VISA SUSPENSIONS (10 countries) – Citizens completely barred from obtaining U.S. visas:
- Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, North Korea (plus five others not disclosed).
- PARTIAL VISA SUSPENSIONS (5 countries) – Targeting tourist, student, and immigrant visas, with some exceptions:
- Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, South Sudan.
- CONDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS (26 countries) – Must comply with U.S. vetting requirements within 60 days or risk visa suspensions:
- Includes Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan.
How This Compares to Trump’s First-Term Travel Ban
The move revives elements of Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban, which initially targeted majority-Muslim countries before being challenged in court and later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
- Trump signed an executive order on January 20 directing security agencies to evaluate visa-screening procedures and identify countries with security deficiencies.
- His order requires final recommendations by March 21, meaning the list could change before final approval.
Why Now?
This proposal is part of Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown in his second term.
- In October 2023, Trump previewed his travel restriction plans, vowing to limit immigration from conflict zones, including:
- Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
- His immigration stance has toughened following increased security concerns and border enforcement debates.
The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups.
Full visa suspension:
Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen
Partial visa suspension (tourist, student and some other visas affected):
Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan
Countries recommended for a partial suspension if they do not address deficiencies:
What’s Next?
- The State Department has not commented on the proposal, but sources suggest intensive internal discussions are ongoing.
- A final decision is expected by March 21, with potential revisions to the list before then.
- If approved, the ban could spark legal challenges, as seen with previous Trump-era immigration policies.
With Trump’s longstanding focus on tightening immigration, this proposal signals a significant shift in U.S. visa policy, potentially affecting millions of travelers and immigrants worldwide.
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