The US President is tightening his immigration policies. Donald Trump is preparing to impose a travel ban on people from 43 countries, while others will face significantly restricted access to the US.
As part of his ongoing efforts to crack down on immigration, Trump is now targeting visitation to the country.
Having already deported a large number of individuals—including a 10-year-old girl recovering from brain cancer surgery—his latest move includes banning, restricting, and giving certain countries a 60-day deadline to address concerns before facing further restrictions.
The immigration proposals were announced shortly after Trump confirmed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he had a “good” conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The discussion raised the possibility of a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, following the ongoing three-year conflict.
This new order places key allies of Moscow under sanctions, along with several other nations experiencing conflict.
In addition to those who are banned or facing restrictions, some governments have been given 60 days to address specific issues, or they will remain on the list.
The countries have been categorized into three groups:
1. Nations facing a complete travel ban: Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
2. Nations facing severe visa restrictions: Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.
3. Nations with 60 days to comply or face restrictions: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, 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.
Many of the countries listed are from the Middle East and Africa, along with nations allied with Russia, such as North Korea and Belarus.
Those in the banned group will be unable to apply for tourist or student visas, as well as other visa categories required to enter the US.
Meanwhile, countries given the 60-day deadline must “make efforts to address deficiencies” or risk further restrictions, according to the official memo.
However, the list is still awaiting approval from the administration and could be subject to changes, as reported by the New York Times.
It has also been noted that the majority of the countries listed are Muslim-majority, economically struggling, and considered to have high levels of corruption.
The list was reportedly drafted weeks ago by the State Department and has since been reviewed by embassies and regional bureaus.
Trump also issued a strong warning while speaking to the Justice Department.
He stated: “I think we have it, I think we have it, but this could lead to World War III, very easily, could very easily lead to World War III.
“But I think we’re in pretty good shape, a lot better than where we were before we got involved.
“That was heading into World War III territory, that would’ve been a war like no other because of nuclear weapons, and other types of weapons that you don’t even wanna know about.”
He added: “I think we’re doing well with Russia, we’re speaking with President Putin, we want to get the war over.”