Recent reports indicate that the U.S. government is considering new travel restrictions that could affect citizens from 43 countries, including Somalia.
These proposed measures categorize countries into three tiers based on the severity of restrictions:
Red List: 11 countries, including Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, and Somalia, could face a complete suspension of visa issuance, effectively barring entry into the United States.
Orange List: 5 countries, such as Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, might experience partial visa suspensions affecting specific visa categories.
Yellow List: 26 countries, including Belarus and Pakistan, have been given a 60-day period to address identified security deficiencies to avoid potential partial suspensions.
These measures are part of a broader initiative to enhance national security by addressing concerns over inadequate passport security and insufficient traveler data sharing. The proposal is currently pending approval from administration officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
It’s important to note that these restrictions are not yet in effect and remain under consideration. Individuals from the affected countries should monitor official U.S. government communications for updates on travel policies.