An internal memo seen by several outlets outlines the proposed restrictions, categorizing affected nations into three tiers: "red," "orange," and "yellow."
Countries Facing Full Travel Suspension (Red List)
Citizens from 11 countries in the "red" category would face a complete ban on entry into the United States. These countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Bhutan
- Cuba
- Iran
- Libya
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
If approved, these nations would face indefinite travel restrictions under the executive order signed by Trump on January 20, aimed at preventing entry by individuals perceived to pose security risks.
Countries Facing Partial Visa Restrictions (Orange List)
A second group of countries, under the "orange" category, would be subject to partial visa suspensions affecting immigrant, tourist, and student visas, with some exceptions. The ten countries on this list include:
- Belarus
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Turkmenistan
Countries Facing Conditional Review (Yellow List)
A third category, the "yellow" list, includes 22 countries that would be given 60 days to address security and information-sharing concerns raised by Washington.
Failure to comply could result in movement to the more restrictive "red" or "orange" categories. These countries are:
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dominica
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gambia
- Guinea
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Republic of the Congo
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Vanuatu
- Zimbabwe
The proposed travel ban marks a return to one of Trump's most controversial policies during his first term in office.
In January 2017, shortly after taking office, Trump signed the "Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States" order. This initial travel ban temporarily barred entry for citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries and led to widespread protests and legal challenges.
The US Supreme Court eventually upheld a revised version of the ban in 2018, which continued to restrict travel from several nations, including Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. President Joe Biden repealed the ban in 2021, describing it as "a stain on our national conscience."
During his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump vowed to reinstate and expand the travel ban to protect the US from perceived threats.
The new proposal remains under review and could face legal challenges similar to those following the 2017 ban.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
