U.S. eyeing new entry restrictions for citizens of 43 countries, including Russia, Belarus - media

This was reported by The New York Times, citing officials familiar with the matter, Ukrinform reports.

The draft list of recommendations, developed by the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with security services official, proposes a "red" list of 11 countries whose citizens will be categorically banned from entering the United States. The list includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, officials said.

The NYT sources added that the list was compiled by the U.S. State Department several weeks ago and that changes will likely be made by the time it reaches the White House.

The second, "orange", list consists of 10 countries for which travel will be severely restricted, short of a ban not banned. In these cases, wealthy business travelers may be allowed entry, but not those traveling on immigrant or tourist visas. Citizens from countries designated in this list shall also undergo a mandatory personal interview to obtain a visa. The list includes Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.

The proposal also includes a "yellow" list of 22 countries that would be given 60 days to address identified deficiencies, with the threat of being moved to one of the other lists if they fail to comply.

Such problems could include failing to provide the United States with information about arriving travelers, allegedly inadequate security measures when issuing passports, or selling citizenship to individuals from banned countries, which could serve as a "loophole" to circumvent restrictions.

The list includes Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.

According to the NYT, it remains unclear whether these restrictions will apply to current visa and green card holders, as well as whether they are planned to be canceled.

As Ukrinform reported, the U.S. Immigration and Customs officials deported approximately 11,000 migrants in February, while 12,000 people were expelled during the same period last year.