Bhutan and Afghanistan are on the U.S. travel ban list, with heightened restrictions due to rising visa violations. The travel ban categories include Red (full ban), Orange (limited travel), and Yellow (conditional review). Bhutan faces scrutiny, impacting travel and relations with the U.S.; existing visa holders remain uncertain about their status under the ban.
Bhutan and Afghanistan appear on the U.S. draft red travel ban list, indicating a complete ban on travel for their citizens, whereas Pakistan is categorized under orange, signifying restricted travel. The U.S. has seen a 37% increase in Bhutanese visa violations over the past year, prompting tighter travel restrictions.
The draft travel ban list includes categories: Red, with a total of 11 countries barred from entering the U.S.; Orange, comprising 10 countries subject to travel limitations; and Yellow, which includes 22 nations given time to address deficiencies.
Citizens of countries classified under the red category, such as Afghanistan and Bhutan, face absolute entry bans due to serious national security concerns and irregular migration patterns, as stated by U.S. officials. The rise in visa violations has led to heightened scrutiny and extended processing times for Bhutanese seeking entry into the U.S.
The implications of the travel ban for Bhutanese travelers may include longer visa processing times, stricter scrutiny, and outright visa denials for students and workers. Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested a review, insisting that their citizens are not significant security threats to the United States.
Existing visa holders may be uncertain about their status under the travel ban, raising questions about whether their visas will remain valid or face cancellation. The Trump administration’s previous travel bans often targeted Muslim-majority nations, igniting considerable controversy, protests, and legal challenges.
Upon taking office, President Biden repealed the travel bans, declaring them inconsistent with the U.S. tradition of welcoming people from diverse backgrounds. Nonetheless, Trump vowed to re-instate such measures if re-elected, emphasizing a return to stringent immigration controls.
The inclusion of Bhutan on the U.S. travel ban list stems from national security concerns linked to increased visa violations. As restrictions tighten for Bhutanese citizens, relations between the U.S. and Bhutan may face challenges. The complexities surrounding the new travel ban categories indicate ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy, which has shifted historically based on administration priorities.
Original Source: www.news18.com
