Zimbabwe is included in a list of 43 countries facing potential travel restrictions to the U.S. under a proposed expansion of an existing travel ban. This proposal categorizes countries into three tiers: red (total bans), orange (visa restrictions), and yellow (concerns to be addressed). Citizens from Zimbabwe fall into the yellow tier, requiring action within 60 days to avoid stricter measures.
On Friday, reports indicated that Zimbabwe is one of 43 nations potentially facing travel restrictions to the United States due to a proposed expansion of a travel ban aimed at addressing national security threats. An internal memo shared with U.S. media outlines a draft proposal that classifies countries into three categories: red, orange, and yellow.
Countries designated as “red” would face total entry bans for their citizens. This group includes Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. The proposal, developed by the U.S. State Department, is subject to change pending further approval.
The “orange” category includes nations with restrictions affecting immigrant, tourist, and student visas, though with some exemptions. This list features Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan. Zimbabwe is classified as “yellow,” meaning it has 60 days to address specific concerns raised by U.S. authorities or risk being moved to a more restrictive category.
Countries in the “yellow” tier face significant restrictions, including potential indefinite travel bans. This group encompasses Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, and others. The White House has not issued any public remarks regarding the circulated memo.
The memo follows an executive order signed by President Trump aimed at safeguarding the U.S. from individuals potentially posing security threats. This order demands recommendations on which countries should be included in the travel restrictions. During a recent press briefing, President Trump refrained from revealing which countries might be targeted in renewed travel restrictions, asserting, “Wouldn’t that be a stupid thing for me to say?”
Originally, Trump instituted a travel ban shortly after taking office in 2017, which led to widespread protests and legal challenges. Critics labeled it the “Muslim ban,” arguing it discriminated against specific nations. Over time, the revised ban faced scrutiny in courts but was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.
The travel restrictions were rescinded by President Biden in 2021, who criticized the ban as inconsistent with America’s history of inclusiveness, referring to it as “a stain on our national conscience.”
In summary, Zimbabwe is among 43 countries under consideration for new U.S. travel restrictions aimed at enhancing national security. The proposed travel ban categorizes nations into red, orange, and yellow tiers, each facing varying degrees of entry prohibitions. While Zimbabwe has a limited timeframe to address specific concerns, the broader implications of this proposal reflect ongoing debates about U.S. immigration policies and national security measures. The historical context of travel bans under previous administrations further complicates current discussions.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
