The Trump administration is in the process of drafting a sweeping new travel ban that could impact citizens from 43 countries, according to multiple reports. The proposed restrictions, detailed in a leaked internal memo, are part of a broader immigration crackdown disguised as an effort to enhance national security.

According to the draft policy, the administration is considering categorizing the affected nations into three groups based on the severity of visa restrictions:

Red: Full visa suspension. Citizens are completely barred from obtaining U.S. visas, and travel to these countries from the United States is banned.

Orange: Partial visa suspension. Citizens of these countries will be subjected to mandatory in-person interviews to qualify for a visa. Some business travel will still be allowed.

Yellow: Conditional measures. The governments of the countries on this list must address security deficiencies within 60 days, at risk of being moved to the orange or red lists. It is likely these “security deficiencies” include failing to share information with the United States about incoming travelers.

This initiative is reminiscent of the 2017 travel ban implemented during Trump’s first term, which targeted several majority-Muslim nations and was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. The current proposal aligns with an executive order issued on January 20, mandating stricter security screenings for those seeking entry into the United States.

The draft policy has drawn strong reactions both domestically and internationally. Countries that may be affected are assessing the implications for their citizens. Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers and civil rights organizations are debating the potential impact on international relations and civil liberties.

It isn’t clear how this ban will affect existing visa and green card-holders. This news arrives in the wake of the revocation of Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil’s green card. The Trump administration states this action is in response to a high-profile campus protest organized and led by Khalil in opposition to the Palestinian Genocide in Gaza.