The US State Department has dismissed recent rumors regarding a potential travel ban list, clarifying that no such list is being considered by the Trump administration.
This statement follows days of speculation fueled by leaked drafts suggesting the possibility of visa restrictions for several countries, including Pakistan, Afghanistan, and others.
No “Travel Ban List” in the works: State Dept
In a recent press briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the growing concerns surrounding a supposed travel ban list, which had sparked confusion and speculation across global media. She confirmed that there is no official list being drafted or acted upon by the US government.
“Well, first of all, there is no list,” Bruce stated. “What people have been looking at over the last several days is not a list that exists here and is being acted upon. There is a review, as we know through the president’s executive order, to look at what will help keep America safer when dealing with the issue of visas and who’s allowed into the country.”
U.S. State Department Dismisses Reports of Afghan Travel Ban List, Says SIV Program Under Review!
— HewadPress (@HewadPress) March 17, 2025
March 17, 2025 @statedeptspox
Washington, D.C. – U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce addressed concerns today regarding a purported ban on Afghan Special Immigrant Visa… pic.twitter.com/R7FlAiPdsV
Bruce explained that the US administration is conducting an ongoing review of its visa policies, particularly through the lens of an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20. This review aims to evaluate measures that would enhance US security, not implement immediate travel bans or restrictions.
Media reports on travel ban list and leaked draft memo
Despite the official dismissal, media outlets such as The New York Times and Reuters recently reported on a leaked internal memo that outlined a proposed plan for imposing travel restrictions on up to 43 countries in a draft of a 2.0 travel ban.
According to these reports, the countries would be categorized into three groups: red, orange, and yellow, each representing varying degrees of visa restrictions.
Citizens from the 11 countries in the “red” category would reportedly be flatly barred from entering the United States. The 11 countries listed include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Countries in the “orange” category, including Pakistan, Myanmar and Russia, would face more severe visa restrictions, such as mandatory in-person interviews for visa applicants. Other countries reportedly on the orange list included Belarus, Eriteria, Haiti, Laos, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Turkmenistan
Meanwhile, the “yellow” group would be given 60 days to address concerns raised by the US administration, or face the possibility of moving to higher categories. Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe were reportedly in the yellow group.
Bruce, however, stressed that the leaked memo was not an actionable list, and no immediate decisions or travel bans were being planned. “There is a review… for us to look at the nature of what’s going to help keep America safer in dealing with the issue of visas and who’s allowed into the country,” she emphasized.
Diplomatic Concerns and Global Reactions
The release of the memo sent shockwaves across the world, triggering diplomatic responses, especially from countries whose names appeared in the draft.
In the Caribbean, nations with Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs—such as Antigua and Barbuda—expressed concern, prompting formal requests for clarification from the US government. Governments from Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis also sought further explanation regarding the list.
The memo’s revelation raised additional questions about the potential motivations behind the proposed restrictions, with some speculating that the countries affected by the potential visa ban might be targeted due to their CBI programs, which allow foreign nationals to obtain citizenship through investment.
As speculation continues, the countries in the reported list await a more clear response from the Trump administration on the sensitive issue of international travel and security.