The Trump administration officials are considering placing Cuba on a “red list” for a total travel ban, potentially cutting off thousands of Cubans from entering the United States amid concerns about inadequate security screening processes.
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration is considering adding Cuba and Haiti to a list of countries facing U.S. travel restrictions, with Cuba potentially facing a total ban.
- This initiative is part of an expanded travel ban similar to previous restrictions on Muslim-majority countries, based on weak security apparatus for background checks.
- The U.S. Embassy in Havana has already suspended most non-immigrant visa issuance since 2017, with limited exceptions.
- Universities and organizations have warned individuals from potentially targeted countries to return to the U.S. quickly before restrictions take effect.
- The potential ban builds on Trump’s earlier policies, including reinstating Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
Expanding Travel Restrictions to New Countries
The Trump administration is actively evaluating the addition of Cuba and Haiti to countries under U.S. travel restrictions. According to reports, Cuba might be designated for a “red list” classification, resulting in a comprehensive travel ban, while Haiti could face less severe limitations. This expansion follows a January 30 executive order directing officials to identify nations with inadequate vetting and screening processes for travelers entering the United States. Beyond Cuba and Haiti, the administration is reportedly considering similar restrictions for nationals from Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The initiative expands on previous travel ban policies targeting several Muslim-majority countries. These restrictions are justified based on the designated countries’ purportedly insufficient security infrastructure for conducting proper background checks on citizens seeking U.S. entry. Following these developments, multiple universities and organizations have advised individuals from potentially affected countries to return to the United States promptly to avoid being barred from reentry should the restrictions take effect.
President Trump has proposed a travel ban, similar to the one in his first term. The ban could block entry from a "red list" of countries, including:
🇸🇩 Sudan
🇻🇪 Venezuela
🇸🇴 Somalia
🇸🇾 Syria
🇾🇪 Yemen
🇮🇷 Iran
🇱🇾 Libya
🇨🇺 Cuba
🇰🇵 North Korea
🇵🇰 Pakistan (expected)
🇦🇫 Afghanistan…— InsideIsraelIntel (@inside_IL_intel) March 12, 2025
Current Cuban Visa Situation
The U.S. Embassy in Havana has already suspended the issuance of non-immigrant visas since 2017, with only narrow exceptions. This existing limitation has already created significant barriers for Cubans seeking temporary entry to the United States. The Biden administration had previously moved to resume a family reunification program for Cubans, a policy that could be disrupted if new, more comprehensive restrictions are implemented. These developments represent a continuation of the hardening U.S. stance toward Cuba that began during Trump’s first term.
During his previous administration, Trump reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism and imposed sanctions targeting Cuban military companies. These actions reversed many of the diplomatic openings initiated under the Obama administration. The State Department has confirmed it is conducting a comprehensive review of all visa programs as directed under the executive order and in alignment with administration priorities regarding national security concerns.
Haiti’s Complex Situation
Haiti presents a more complicated case for potential travel restrictions. Haitian nationals already face intensified screening and high U.S. visa refusal rates. The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has significantly limited visa processing capacity due to the pandemic impact and the deteriorating security situation from gang violence. Adding to this complexity, the United States is currently involved in operations against gangs in Haiti, making the addition of Haiti to a comprehensive travel ban potentially problematic from a diplomatic perspective.
Thousands of American citizens remain in Haiti providing essential humanitarian aid despite increasingly challenging conditions. Gang control has expanded across much of the country while foreign aid remains largely frozen. These humanitarian concerns are likely being weighed against security considerations as administration officials determine the appropriate level of travel restrictions to apply to Haiti, distinguishing its situation from the potential total ban being considered for Cuba.
Sources:
Trump administration weighs barring Cubans, Haitians from U.S. as part of new travel ban
