White House officials have not made a decision on Monday whether to enact a potential travel ban in more than 40 countries.
Countries could face serious or total travel restrictions enacted by the United States, according to a report by Reuters and the New York Times. Fox News Digital was unable to independently review details of the proposed program.
The outlet reported that citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Bhutan, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen will not be allowed to enter the United States under the proposal. Reports show that these 11 countries will be placed at the “red” level of the color-coded system.
At a State Department briefing Monday, spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said there is no listing but there is a continuous review.
“Well, first of all, there's no list,” she said. “What people have been looking at over the past few days is not a list that exists here. As we know through the president's executive order, there are reviews to see what will help keep America safer when dealing with visa issues and who is allowed to the country.
“But it's simply not that it's being advertised as something through the State Department as an item.”
Other countries like Russia and Pakistan were still allowed to travel, in contrast to the complete ban, but they would still face hurdles when it comes to getting a visa. That layer is considered to be an “orange” level.
Vice President Vance can increase the number of criminal dispatches with a vow that Trump administrators could “use everything”
Other countries like Russia and Pakistan were still allowed to travel, in contrast to the complete ban, but they would still face hurdles when it comes to getting a visa. (Photo by Aleksey Babushkin/Sputnik, Kremlin pool)
Various countries, including many in Africa, are also being monitored for potential restrictions at the “yellow” level, reportedly having about two months to change to not be placed at the “orange” or “red” level. The yellow levels are said to include Caribbean countries such as St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda.
Reuters reports that 41 countries will be affected in some way, while the Times will have 43 countries.
Marines injured in abbey gate bombing praise Trump for not forgetting their families after we are suspected
Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Bhutan, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Venezuela and Yemen are not permitted to enter the United States on the basis of the proposal. (Siddiqullah Alizai/AP Photo)
Early in the first Trump administration, executive orders banning travel from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya faced legal hurdles and were ridden by opponents as “Muslim bans” due to the demographics of those countries. Advocates at the time argued that there was a need to ensure a strict process to track who was in the country.
When President Trump signed an executive order in January 2017 banning travel and banning “extreme reviews” in certain countries, he said, “Obviously, this is not a Muslim ban, and this is not about religion, as the media is misreporting it.
“There are over 40 countries around the world, a majority of Muslims who are not affected by the order,” Trump said at the time.
Trump-supported bills to avoid closures will boost funds for illegal immigrant arrests and deportation
Early in the first Trump administration, executive orders banning travel from Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Iraq and Libya faced legal hurdles and were ridden by opponents as “Muslim bans” due to the demographics of those countries. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, criticism is already developing over new and looming proposals.
“Today's international day to combat Islamophobia is too timely and relevant to our present moment. With the decline in civil liberties and the threat of a so-called Muslim travel ban, New Yorkers must continue to unite and refuse to engage in hatred and prejudice.
“I hope someone from (the State Department) reviews this list and realizes that Bhutan's (travel ban), the peaceful, inland Himalayan Buddhist kingdom (population: ~800,000) is totally insane,” he said.
The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment in time for publication. Customs and Border Protection said it “cannot comment on internal documents.”
