The Trump administration is working on a new travel ban that could prevent citizens from a designated “red list” of countries from entering the United States. According to reports from The New York Times and Reuters, officials are in the final stages of drafting the executive order, which aims to tighten immigration rules under the guise of national security and public safety.
What’s in the New Executive Order?
The executive order, signed by President Trump on January 20, is titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other” and seeks to restrict entry to individuals deemed a threat to national security.
According to the order, the ban will target individuals who:
- Are suspected of intending to commit terrorist attacks.
- Pose a national security risk.
- Promote extremist ideologies.
- Exploit immigration laws for harmful purposes.
The responsibility for enforcing the ban falls on Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. They have been given a 60-day deadline to finalize the list of banned countries and implement restrictions.
Which Countries Are on the “Red List”?
Reports suggest that the proposed travel ban will include countries that were previously restricted during Trump’s first term. The following nations are expected to face a complete travel ban:
- Sudan
- Venezuela
- Somalia
- Syria
- Yemen
- Iran
- Libya
- Cuba
- North Korea
Additionally, Pakistan and Afghanistan are likely to be added to the list.
Aside from the “red list,” the new policy introduces two additional risk categories:
- “Orange List” Countries: Citizens will have restricted entry but will not be completely banned.
- “Yellow List” Countries: These nations will be given 60 days to correct immigration and security “deficiencies” before facing restrictions.
It remains unclear whether individuals from these countries who already hold valid visas will be allowed entry into the U.S.
How Does This Compare to Trump’s 2017 Travel Ban?
During his first term in 2017, Trump implemented a controversial travel ban targeting Muslim-majority nations. Under that ban:
- Citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen were banned for 90 days.
- Refugee admissions were suspended for 120 days.
- Travel from Syria was completely suspended.
While the previous ban faced legal challenges, it was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court with some modifications.
Impact on American Travelers
While the primary focus of the new travel ban is on restricting entry into the U.S., experts warn that it could also have unintended consequences for American travelers.
Zane Kerby, CEO of the American Society of Travel Advisors, told Travel Weekly that such “blanket country-wide travel bans” could:
- Restrict legitimate business and tourism.
- Discourage international travelers from visiting the U.S.
- Increase the risk of retaliation against American travelers in affected countries.
With the final list of restricted nations expected to be announced in the coming weeks, this move is likely to stir political and legal debates, much like Trump’s previous immigration policies.
