Trump Set to Ban Travel from 43 Countries, Including Russia and Belarus
Donald Trump is set to ban people from 43 countries from traveling to the U.S., with visas from Russia facing sharp restrictions, according to the New York Times. Belarusian travelers will also see new limits, as key allies of Moscow are placed under heavy sanctions.
The explosive immigration proposal comes as Trump navigates ceasefire negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky over the war in Ukraine. The U.S. president warned that World War III could “very easily” erupt if peace talks fail.
Countries Face 60-Day Deadline
A memo reveals that affected countries have been divided into three categories, with 11 nations facing full travel bans, 10 facing partial suspensions, and 22 given 60 days to address security concerns before being placed under restrictions.
Full Travel Ban (No U.S. Entry Permitted)
• Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen
Visas Sharply Restricted (Severe Entry Limits)
• Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Turkmenistan
60-Day Warning (Must Improve Security Measures or Face Ban)
• 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, Zimbabwe
The restrictions target countries with weak security measures, poor passport control, or those that allegedly sell citizenships to individuals from banned nations.
Trump’s Hardline Immigration Stance
This move marks a continuation of Trump’s strict immigration policies, reminiscent of his controversial 2017 “Muslim ban.” Some countries from that previous list remain, but many new additions—such as Bhutan—have sparked criticism.
Trump signed an executive order on January 20 mandating stricter vetting for foreign travelers. The State Department, embassies, and intelligence agencies helped compile the list, which still awaits approval from Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Wealthy travelers or business elites from “orange-listed” countries may still qualify for a visa after mandatory in-person interviews, but it remains unclear if existing visa holders or green card holders will be exempt.
Escalating Global Tensions
Trump’s announcement follows his warning of a potential World War III, claiming his administration is working behind the scenes to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. He has repeatedly insisted that the war “would never have happened” if he had been in office earlier.
Meanwhile, Putin responded to Trump’s calls for restraint, stating that Ukrainian troops in Kursk will be “spared” if they surrender. However, Kyiv denies that its forces are surrounded, with Zelensky admitting the situation is “very difficult.”
Crackdown on Pro-Palestinian Activists
Separately, Trump has started revoking green cards of individuals involved in pro-Palestinian protests, including Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Columbia University graduate. Khalil, whose wife is a U.S. citizen, was arrested but has not been charged with a crime. His deportation was blocked by a judge, sparking widespread protests.
The Road Ahead
Trump’s immigration crackdown is part of a broader plan to enact the “largest deportation effort in U.S. history” and strengthen border security. While critics call the new ban discriminatory, supporters argue it’s a necessary step to protect national security.
The State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment.
