WASHINGTON (March 15, 2025) — The Trump administration is preparing to implement a new travel ban targeting 43 countries, marking a significant expansion of the former president’s previous restrictions, according to The New York Times. The proposed policy, which classifies affected nations into three categories, is aimed at tightening immigration controls and addressing perceived security risks. This travel ban targets 43 countries specifically which have been identified as posing security challenges. Officials familiar with the matter say the plan is still under review, but if enacted, it would be one of the most sweeping travel bans in U.S. history.
An internal draft circulating among diplomatic and security officials outlines a three-tiered classification of countries that could face restrictions, ranging from a full ban on entry to conditional suspensions. While officials caution that the list is still under review, it signals a major shift in U.S. immigration policy with potential geopolitical consequences.
Expanded Travel Ban Targets 43 Countries in Three-Tier System
This travel ban targets 43 countries and introduces a new framework for assessing entry restrictions.
According to the draft proposal, countries would be divided into three categories based on security concerns, information-sharing deficiencies, and cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement.
- “Red List” – Full Travel Ban: Citizens from 11 countries—Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen—would be completely barred from entering the United States.
- “Orange List” – Restricted Entry: Travelers from 10 countries, including Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan, would face strict visa limitations. Business travelers may still be allowed entry, but immigrant and tourist visas would be largely restricted. Mandatory in-person interviews would also be required for visa processing.
- “Yellow List” – Conditional Suspension: Another 22 countries, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe, would be given 60 days to address security concerns. If they fail to comply, they risk being moved to the restricted or banned categories.
State Department’s Role in Drafting Policy
The proposal stems from an executive order issued by Trump on January 20, directing the State Department to identify countries where “vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.” The order tasked the department, along with intelligence and security agencies, with reviewing global travel policies and drafting the new restrictions.
Officials involved in the process have indicated that the list remains subject to change before it reaches the White House for final approval.
Legal and Diplomatic Implications
The proposal is expected to reignite legal and diplomatic battles similar to those seen in 2017 when Trump’s first travel ban was initially blocked by courts before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. The new version is significantly broader, affecting a wider range of nations, some of which have historically maintained cooperative relations with the U.S.
The inclusion of Venezuela in the “Red List” could complicate ongoing negotiations between Washington and Caracas, while Russia’s placement on the “Orange List” raises questions about Trump’s broader foreign policy stance. Bhutan’s inclusion, despite no known history of security concerns, also adds to the controversy surrounding the list.
There has been no clarification on whether the restrictions would apply retroactively to existing visa holders or green card recipients, nor has the administration specified whether exemptions will be made for individuals with legal residency status.
Political Repercussions and Next Steps
The proposed restrictions reflect Trump’s continued push to reinstate and expand immigration bans that were rescinded by President Biden in 2021. Trump has framed the new policy as a necessary measure to protect the U.S. from “aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.”
As the White House reviews the draft, officials at the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies will continue refining the list and assessing its potential impact. A final executive order is expected within the coming weeks.
For ongoing coverage of this developing story, follow Unitedpac St. Lucia News.
