US clarifies visa review process, denies existence of travel ban list

(Web Desk): The US State Department has denied reports that the government is creating a list to impose new visa restrictions on several countries.

The department reassured that no such list exists, emphasizing its ongoing commitment to resettle Afghans who helped the US during its mission in Afghanistan.

During a recent news briefing, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that the Trump administration had started a broader review of visa policies, following an executive order made on January 20. However, Bruce denied claims that Afghanistan was on a list of countries facing a total visa suspension. "There is no list," she said. "What people are seeing in the news is not an actual list being acted on."

Bruce explained that this review is part of a continuous process to assess and improve US visa policies and security.

Her comments come after reports of a draft memo that supposedly includes 41 countries, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, divided into three categories with different levels of visa restrictions.

The memo, seen by Reuters, suggests a full visa suspension for the first group of nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea. The second group would see partial suspensions affecting tourist, student, and other immigrant visas, with some exceptions. The third group of 26 countries, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan, could face partial visa suspensions unless their governments address certain issues within 60 days.

The State Department's clarification aims to calm concerns and clarify the situation regarding visa policies.