Trump Administration Proposed Travel Ban

March 17, 2025

The Trump administration plans on issuing a travel ban and restrictions for 43 countries in the coming days. The proposed travel ban as reported by the NYT is not final, and the Trump administration can make changes before the official travel ban is posted. “It is also not clear whether people with existing visas would be exempted from the ban, or if their visas would be canceled. Nor is it clear whether the administration intends to exempt existing green card holders, who are already approved for lawful permanent residency.”

The list of countries that may face restrictive travel to the US are separated into three categories. The first category is the most restrictive and the 11 countries on this draft list will face a complete ban from entering the United States.

Afghanistan
Bhutan
Cuba
Iran
Libya
North Korea
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Venezuela
Yemen

The second category is a draft list which includes 10 countries that may face additional restrictions. As it stands, these countries will not likely face a complete ban from entering the United States, but they may experience partial visa suspensions. For example, people traveling to the U.S. on immigration or tourist visas will may not be able to enter. Citizens from the following countries would be required to attend mandatory in-person visa interviews.

Belarus
Eritrea
Haiti
Laos
Myanmar
Pakistan
Russia
Sierra Leone
South Sudan
Turkmenistan

The third category contains a draft list of 22 countries which previously had been flagged with concerns. On January 20, 2025, the State Department was asked to identify countries that may require additional vetting and screening, and the report is due in the coming days. If these countries do not address their deficiencies 60 days after the official ban is published, then they will be at risk of moving to one of the prior, more severe categories. These countries may experience visa restrictions or a complete travel 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

If you have any questions about how this proposed travel ban might affect your case, please contact your attorney directly. To schedule a new consultation with one of our attorneys, please complete our consultation request form.