Washington, Mar 22 (V7N) – President Donald Trump is poised to announce a significant travel ban as early as Friday, targeting citizens from more than a dozen countries, including Iran, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. This updated travel ban comes after Trump ordered his administration to review the vetting and screening standards for all countries seeking to send citizens to the United States. Countries failing to meet these standards could face partial or full suspensions of their citizens' entry into the U.S.

Trump’s new executive order directs his administration to create a list of countries that pose a national security risk due to insufficient information sharing on travelers. As part of this process, Trump has called for identifying and potentially removing foreign nationals from these countries who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. This expanded travel ban could be even broader than his previous version from his first term, which was challenged in courts due to allegations of religious discrimination, particularly targeting Muslim-majority countries.

The new travel restrictions follow a more detailed and methodical approach, as Trump ordered a review of how much data countries provide regarding lost or stolen passports, and the level of cooperation with U.S. intelligence agencies. Countries that fail to meet the required vetting standards will be placed in a three-tiered system:

“Red” List: Countries on this list will face a complete ban on citizens entering the U.S.

“Orange” List: These countries will face stricter visa restrictions.

“Notice” List: These nations will be given 60 days to improve their security measures, or face potential further action.

A list of more than 40 countries is under consideration, including nations like Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, and even tiny Bhutan. For countries like Bhutan and Cuba, this is a shift from previous travel restrictions, as they were not part of Trump’s initial travel ban. Cuba, however, remains on the State Department’s list as a state sponsor of terrorism.

In contrast to Trump’s original travel ban, which was primarily focused on Muslim-majority countries, this new list includes countries of various political and security backgrounds. Notably, Bhutan and Cuba, which do not have Muslim majorities, are among the countries under consideration for a ban. Additionally, Russia and Belarus could face visa restrictions due to geopolitical tensions.

Trump's administration has also asked the State Department to report on how many nationals from the flagged countries have entered the U.S. since President Joe Biden took office, and to consider removing individuals who entered during this time if they come from nations with inadequate vetting processes.

While the administration is conducting its review, concerns remain about the potential for legal challenges. In 2017, Trump's initial travel ban faced significant opposition and was ultimately revised several times before the Supreme Court upheld a version that restricted entry from several majority-Muslim countries. Legal experts are closely watching how this new ban is implemented, particularly regarding potential retroactive enforcement for individuals who entered the U.S. after Biden’s inauguration.

Trump has long defended these travel restrictions, citing national security concerns and the need to prevent the entry of individuals associated with “radical Islamic terrorism.” He has said the new ban is necessary to ensure U.S. safety by addressing deficiencies in global vetting systems, particularly the failure of some nations to provide critical data on international travelers.

The new travel ban could also have a broader impact on foreign relations, with critics warning that it might undermine diplomatic ties with certain countries, especially those with strained relations with the U.S., like Iran and Venezuela. Proponents argue that it is a necessary step to protect the country from potential security threats.

Trump’s team has been working with key officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, to finalize the list and provide recommendations for further actions. The deadline for the submission of the report was March 21, and the list of countries could be announced shortly.

The expected travel restrictions could become effective as soon as this weekend, with further legal scrutiny expected in the coming weeks. The Trump administration has been clear in its stance that the safety of American citizens is a top priority, and any foreign nationals from countries with inadequate vetting practices will be denied entry to protect national security.

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