The U.S. has placed Bhutan on a travel ban list due to high visa violations by its citizens, surprising many given Bhutan’s peaceful reputation. The move is part of broader restrictions affecting various countries, posing challenges for Bhutanese nationals seeking U.S. visas and possibly impacting diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Recently, the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has implemented stricter travel restrictions, creating a list of 43 countries categorized into Red, Orange, and Yellow zones. The Red List imposes the highest restrictions, denying entry to nationals from these countries, including conflict-affected regions like Afghanistan, North Korea, and Syria. Notably, Bhutan joins this list amid its reputation as one of the happiest nations worldwide.
A significant factor for Bhutan’s Red List status is the high rate of visa violations among its citizens. Many Bhutanese nationals have overstayed their visas, creating a national security concern for the U.S. Additionally, there has been an increase in Bhutanese immigration through illegal avenues, raising further alarms within U.S. immigration authorities.
Statistics from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reveal that 37% of Bhutanese visitors violated visa regulations last year. Consequently, citizens from Bhutan will now face stricter screening processes for U.S. visas, with many applications potentially being rejected without specific reasons.
The restrictions also pose new challenges for Bhutanese nationals already in the U.S., who will undergo increased scrutiny. This situation is particularly difficult for students and professionals traveling to the U.S. for educational and employment opportunities. As a reaction, Bhutan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally urged the U.S. to reconsider the imposed ban.
Among the eleven countries on the Red List, many suffer from instability or civil wars, which make such restrictions more justifiable. However, Bhutan’s unexpected inclusion amidst these nations has sparked considerable surprise.
The U.S. government’s recent travel ban on Bhutan underscores a shift towards more stringent immigration policies, highlighting visa violations as a key concern. The resulting challenges for Bhutanese citizens, particularly students and professionals, and the potential impact on U.S.-Bhutan relations warrant close observation. Efforts by Bhutan’s government to address this decision indicate a desire to maintain positive diplomatic ties.
Original Source: www.india.com
