Overview of President Trump’s Draft Ban List of 43 Countries

A leaked U.S. State Department draft reveals a list of 43 countries under President Trump’s ban consideration. They are classified into red, orange, and yellow categories, indicating varying levels of restrictions. Surprising inclusions, such as Bhutan, raise concerns, while countries like North Korea and Iran are expected entries.

A draft list purportedly circulating within the U.S. State Department reveals that President Donald Trump is considering a ban on 43 countries. According to The New York Times, the countries are categorized into three groups: a red list consists of nations whose citizens face a total ban; an orange list pertains to those with sharply restricted visas; and a yellow list contains countries afforded 60 days to address U.S. concerns.

The red list includes several anticipated names such as North Korea, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, and notably Afghanistan. Surprisingly, the peaceful Buddhist nation of Bhutan is included, attributed to a 2023 immigration scam involving Nepalese individuals posing as Bhutanese refugees. Interestingly, Iraq is not featured on this list, a point of contention.

Cuba and Venezuela are also notable entries on the red list. Meanwhile, Pakistan is placed on the orange list, causing concern within the Pakistani community in the United States. Additionally, Russia and its ally, Belarus, have been included in this category, while Ukraine notably does not appear on the list despite its tenuous relations with the U.S.

The orange list further comprises several Asian nations including Laos and Myanmar, along with the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. On the yellow list, which invites scrutiny, several Caribbean nations—including St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica—are mentioned due to varying reasons, including incidents related to crime.

Cambodia and Vanuatu also appear on the yellow list, the latter being noted for its connection to Lalit Modi. Furthermore, approximately 16 African nations, including Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, and others, are marked as yellow, leading to questions regarding their inclusion.

The proposed draft list of 43 countries by President Donald Trump emphasizes a stringent immigration policy that categorizes nations based on perceived risk levels. The unexpected inclusion of Bhutan raises questions, particularly amid issues unrelated directly to its citizens. This classification could have significant implications for affected countries and their citizens, especially those in the diaspora communities in the United States.

Original Source: www.rediff.com