Trump Eyes Sweeping Travel Ban: 43 Countries Face Restrictions

The Donald Trump administration is reportedly considering imposing sweeping travel restrictions on citizens from 43 countries as part of a new ban, continuing the immigration crackdown that the US President initiated at the start of his second term in January.

According to The New York Times, an internal memo divides these countries into three separate categories: Red List, Orange List, and Yellow List — each with different levels of restrictions.

Red List: Total Ban for 11 Countries

The "Red List" includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Citizens from these nations would face a complete travel ban, barring them from entering the United States under any circumstances.

Orange List: Partial Ban for 10 Countries

The "Orange List" includes Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan. Citizens from these countries would face restricted travel, with only affluent business travelers allowed entry — while those seeking immigrant or tourist visas would be denied.

Yellow List: Warning for 22 Countries

The "Yellow List" is the largest category, encompassing 22 countries. Nations on this list would have 60 days to address "perceived deficiencies" or risk being moved to the Red or Orange List. The affected countries include Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.

A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that the list is not yet final and could still be modified pending approval from the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

This proposed move signals a significant escalation in Trump’s hardline immigration policy, which has already sparked global debate and criticism.