The Trump administration proposes a three-tiered travel ban affecting 43 countries, including Pakistan, with visa restrictions based on security concerns.
The Trump administration is planning to target citizens of 43 countries, including Pakistan, according to an internal memo and other sources.
A three-tiered travel ban has been proposed that has divided countries into three categories:
Red List (Full Visa Suspension)
Orange List (Partial Visa Suspension)
Yellow List (Conditional Suspension)
Full visa suspension would be enacted for citizens who belong to 11 Red List countries. These countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, etc. 10 countries have been added to the Orange List; visas from these countries will be sharply restricted, but business travellers can be entertained under certain conditions.
The Yellow List consists of 22 countries, and 60 days have been given to them to address security deficiencies. These countries will have to face the US’s partial suspension of visa issuance (Orange List) if they “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days.”
According to the New York Times, Pakistan has been added to the Orange List, whereas according to Reuters, Pakistan has been added to the Yellow List. The Cabinet Member’s final remark on Pakistan’s inclusion on the list will come on March 21, 2025. These lists are being prepared by the State Department of the USA.
In 2015, the San Bernardino mass shooting attack occurred in California, USA. Trump called for “a total and complete” shutdown of Muslims entering the US “until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.”
In 2017, during Trump’s first administration, he imposed a travel ban on 7 majority-Muslim countries, and that was called the “Muslim Ban.” Later in 2021, former President of the USA, Joe Biden, repealed the ban and proclaimed, “These actions are a stain on our national conscience and are inconsistent with our long history of welcoming people of all faiths and no faith at all.”
The Trump administration has also sent many illegal immigrants back to their countries, including India. Trump issued an executive order to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide an immigration crackdown in January 2025 in order to ensure national security. JD Vance stated in an interview that “Green Card Holders don’t have an indefinite right to be in the United States of America.”
According to some critics, the decision is more influenced by religious and political discrimination rather than security reasons.
The American economy is largely dependent on immigrants, so there is a large possibility that this policy will not be welcomed. Officials from intelligence agencies, security, and the State Department USA are reviewing the draft proposal and providing input on potential modifications.
