The Trump administration is reportedly mulling over harsh travel and visa restrictions which would extend to 43 countries.
According to an internal memo seen by Reuters, the US government is considering a “red list”, which would involve a full visa suspension for 11 countries including North Korea, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela and Cuba.
A second group of five countries – Laos, Myanmar, South Sudan, Eritrea and Haiti – would be hit with visa restrictions which would limit tourist, student and immigrant visas.
Citizens on this list would be made to attend mandatory in-person interviews to secure a visa, the New York Times reported.
And as for a third group of 26 nations which includes Pakistan, Belarus and Turkmenistan, the Trump administration would consider partial visa suspension if their governments “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days”.
Reuters reports the list has not been officially approved by the administration and could be amended.
The internal memo comes after US President Donald Trump signed sweeping executive orders on January 26 regarding immigration, including “enhanced vetting” of visa applicants and border security.
During his first term Trump enacted a strict travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority countries.
After a fight in the US Supreme Court, his ban was upheld after arguments it amounted to an unlawful ban on Muslims.
Trump also vowed ahead of the US election to restrict travellers from the Gaza Strip, Syria, Yemen and Somalia from entering the US.
The Trump administration has not commented on the internal memo.
In a statement on Friday, homeland security secretary Kristi Noem said it was a “privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States”.
In a statement on Friday, homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, said it’s a “privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States of America”.
“When you advocate for violence and terrorism that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country,” Noem said.
