The U.S. government has added Bhutan to its travel ban list, categorizing it alongside conflict-affected nations. This decision primarily stems from visa violations and illegal immigration concerns regarding Bhutanese nationals. The ban imposes significant challenges for Bhutanese citizens, complicating visa applications and increasing scrutiny for those already in the U.S. Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged a review of this decision to preserve diplomatic relations.
The recent actions taken by the U.S. government under the leadership of former President Donald Trump have led to the imposition of a travel ban affecting numerous nations. A list of 43 countries, categorized into Red, Orange, and Yellow, has been established. Nations in the Red List face the most stringent restrictions, prohibiting entry into the U.S. Among these nations is Bhutan, a country notably recognized for its high happiness rankings, which has raised several eyebrows.
One of the primary factors contributing to Bhutan’s inclusion in the Red List is the increasing number of Bhutanese nationals who violate U.S. visa regulations through overstays. This issue has emerged as a significant national security concern for the U.S. Moreover, there has been an alarming rise in illegal immigration attempts from Bhutanese individuals to the United States.
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 37% of Bhutanese visitors contravened visa regulations in the previous year. As a consequence, citizens of Bhutan will now face rigorous screening processes when applying for visas, with potential denials occurring without detailed explanations.
In addition to the challenges in visa procurement, Bhutanese individuals already residing in the United States will also encounter heightened scrutiny. This could severely affect Bhutanese students and professionals, who rely on travel for educational and employment prospects in the U.S. Furthermore, such restrictions may jeopardize the traditionally cordial diplomatic relations between Bhutan and the United States.
In light of these developments, Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally appealed to the U.S. government, seeking a reevaluation of these stringent measures. While travel bans for countries severely impacted by conflict and unrest are understandable, the situation with Bhutan is particularly perplexing due to its stable conditions and previous goodwill with the U.S.
In summary, the U.S. government’s decision to include Bhutan on its Red List has raised significant concerns, given Bhutan’s positive diplomatic relations with the U.S. The travel ban stems from visa regulation violations and illegal immigration issues among Bhutanese nationals. This move presents substantial challenges for Bhutanese citizens, particularly students and professionals. Moving forward, Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advocating for a reconsideration of this decision, which underscores the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties despite concerns related to security and immigration.
Original Source: www.india.com
