Cintia A. , Lebledparle.com
The Trump administration is planning to unveil a new travel ban that if implemented, would apply to citizens of 43 countries, according to a draft list obtained by The New York Times. If enacted, the ban would be far broader than the limits imposed during Trump’s first term. According to the administration, the ban is aimed at protecting national security.
The proposed travel ban divides affected countries into three categories based on the severity of sanctions:
1- Red list: This list consists of 11 countries that face full ban. Citizens from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen would be completely barred from entering the United States. This category is similar to previous travel bans that targeted nations considered as security risks or lacking proper vetting processes.
2. Orange list: It consists of 10 countries facing partial restrictions. Travelers from Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan would face significant visa restrictions.
3. Yellow list: The countries on this list are 22 in number and are in the warning phase. It includes Cameroon, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, 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. These nations have been given a 60-days grace to address U.S. concerns related to security cooperation, passport control, or selling citizenship to individuals from banned countries. Failure to comply could lead to stricter travel limitations.
Although all of the policy details are not yet clear, concerns persist regarding how it would affect current visa holders and lawful permanent residents (green card holders). In past travel bans, there were green card holders who were originally barred from returning to the U.S. before the policy was later adjusted. It is yet to be determined if a similar situation could arise with this new ban.
It is reported that officials have been given two weeks to finalize the list and put the ban in place. If this draft proposal is implemented, it may disrupt families, businesses, and international partnerships while fueling debates over the fairness and effectiveness of such measures.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the involved countries, Cameroon included, consider their actions and respond to the issues raised by the U.S. government.
