According to sources and an internal memo obtained by Reuters, the Trump administration is contemplating imposing extensive travel restrictions on the citizens of numerous countries as part of a new ban. The memo identifies a total of 41 countries categorized into three groups. The first group of 10 countries, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, would face a complete suspension of visas. The second group, comprising Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, would encounter partial visa suspensions affecting tourism, student visas, and some immigrant visas, with certain exceptions. The third group, encompassing 26 countries like Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, may face a partial suspension of U.S. visa issuance if they do not address deficiencies within 60 days. An anonymous U.S. official noted that the list could be subject to changes and approval by the administration, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The New York Times was the first to report on the list of countries. This potential action echoes back to President Trump’s initial ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations during his first term and aligns with his continued immigration policies in his second term. The State Department has not yet responded to Reuters’ request for comment.
