Vong Law Group in the Laotian Times “Laos Included in United States Travel Ban Draft List”
The White House has included Laos in a draft list of countries that could face travel restrictions under a new United States (US) immigration policy proposed by the Trump administration.
The White House has included Laos in a draft list of countries that could face travel restrictions under a new United States (US) immigration policy proposed by the Trump administration.
The draft categorizes Laos in the “orange” tier, meaning its citizens could see sharp restrictions on visas and be required to undergo mandatory in-person interviews for approval.
The proposal, developed by the US State Department in response to a 20-January executive order by President Trump, is part of a broader effort to identify countries with alleged deficiencies in vetting and screening procedures.
The draft list, which remains subject to change, also includes Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Eritrea, and Haiti in the “orange” category.
Meanwhile, 11 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, fall under the “red” tier, facing a complete ban on travel to the United States.
US Draft Travel Ban List.
Implications for Lao Travelers
If implemented, the restrictions could significantly impact Lao citizens seeking to travel to the US for work, education, or family visits.
The extent of the limitations is not yet clear, but it is likely that non-business travelers will face the greatest hurdles in obtaining visas. Previous US travel bans under the Trump administration disproportionately affected citizens from countries perceived as having weak government structures or security concerns.
Kane Vongsavanh, Founding Partner of Vong Law Group, emphasized the effect this could have on the Lao American community.
“The Lao American community faces challenges because many have family in Laos who want to visit them in the US or permanently relocate with them to the US,” he said. “The relationship between the Lao diaspora in America has grown significantly in recent years, and there are numerous business and investment opportunities between the two countries.”
It is uncertain whether Laos holding valid visas or green cards would be exempt from the restrictions, as details of the policy remain under review. In prior travel bans, some visa holders were subjected to additional scrutiny or outright revocation of their entry permissions.
US citizens are exempt from the travel ban. It’s nearly impossible to restrict travel for US passport holders, as the government recognizes them as citizens and ensures their entry, Vongsavanh explained. However, green card holders and anyone traveling on temporary work visas, tourist visas, or student visas may be impacted, according to him.
The draft list is still being reviewed by officials across multiple US agencies, and the final version of the travel restrictions could be modified before implementation.
