A US State Department draft list proposes bans/restrictions on 43 countries divided into three categories: red (total ban), orange (restricted visas), and yellow (60 days to address concerns). Key inclusions are Bhutan, Pakistan, and various African nations, raising diplomatic tensions.
A draft list from the US State Department allegedly details 43 countries that President Donald Trump may add to a ban list. This includes a color-coded system: the red list indicates total bans, the orange list signifies sharply restricted visas, and the yellow list includes countries that have 60 days to address US concerns.
The red list includes some surprising names, particularly Bhutan, which is unexpected due to its peaceful Buddhist culture. The Bhutanese media attributes the ban to a 2023 immigration scam involving Nepalese citizens masquerading as Bhutanese refugees.
Common entries on the red list consist of countries like North Korea, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, and newly added Afghanistan. Interestingly, Iraq is not included, and Cuba and Venezuela also appear on the red list.
Pakistan is noted on the orange list, which may concern the Pakistani community in the US. Russia and its ally Belarus are found in the same category, while Ukraine does not appear on the list, despite tensions related to President Trump’s relationship with Putin.
The yellow list is populated with various countries, some of which include Caribbean nations like St Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Cambodia and Vanuatu. Notably, 16 African nations, including Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo, are also listed here, causing much puzzlement over their inclusion.
The article outlines a contentious draft list by the US State Department proposing bans or restrictions on 43 countries. The surprising inclusion of Bhutan on the red list and the rationale behind it highlights the complexity of immigration policies. Furthermore, the categorization into red, orange, and yellow lists raises questions about diplomatic relations, especially with nations like Pakistan and Russia. As countries grapple with their statuses, the situation remains fluid and highly consequential.
Original Source: www.rediff.com
