WASHINGTON, March 15: The Trump administration is considering implementing sweeping travel restrictions for citizens of several countries as part of a new ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo.

The memo outlines plans to categorize 41 countries into three distinct groups. The first group includes 10 countries—Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, among others—that would face a full suspension of U.S. visas.

The second group consists of five countries—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—that would experience partial visa suspensions. This would impact tourist and student visas, as well as other immigrant visas, with some exceptions.

The third group includes 26 countries—such as Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan—that could face partial suspension of U.S. visa issuance if their governments fail to address specific deficiencies within 60 days, according to the memo.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, cautioned that the list may still change and that the plan had yet to be approved by the administration, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

This move is reminiscent of President Donald Trump’s first term travel ban, which targeted citizens from seven majority-Muslim nations. The policy underwent several revisions before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

On January 20, Trump signed an executive order that requires heightened security vetting for foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. in order to identify potential national security threats. The order directed several cabinet members to submit a list of countries by March 21, from which travel should be partially or fully suspended due to deficiencies in vetting and screening processes.

This action is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which he previewed in an October 2023 speech, where he promised to impose restrictions on people from regions such as Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other areas posing security risks.

The State Department has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.