WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Bhutan, a country known for its Gross National Happiness and peaceful diplomacy, now faces a possible U.S. travel ban. The Trump administration has placed Bhutan on a draft list of nations labeled as national security risks, surprising experts and sparking international concern.

The leaked list, first reported by The New York Times, includes countries like Iran, Syria, and North Korea. Bhutan’s appearance alongside those conflict-ridden nations has raised eyebrows across diplomatic and immigration circles.

President Donald Trump continues to expand his hardline immigration agenda during his second term. His administration recently moved to broaden travel bans by reviewing 36 more countries for full or partial entry restrictions — Bhutan among them.

A leaked State Department cable, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, outlines the reasons for this expanded list. The administration cited weak passport security, high visa overstay rates, and limited cooperation on deportations. Officials also flagged nations where citizens have expressed anti-American sentiment or been linked to terrorism.

Each country now has 60 days — starting in mid-June — to address these concerns. If they fail to meet U.S. demands, they may face new travel restrictions that affect tourists, students, and workers.

However, Bhutan’s inclusion on this list has confused many. The Himalayan kingdom has no history of terrorism or anti-American behavior and has long enjoyed peaceful relations with the United States.

Immigration data does not support the claim that Bhutan poses a national security risk. From 2021 to 2024, only 51 Bhutanese nationals crossed into the U.S. illegally, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Over the past decade, only 200 Bhutanese citizens overstayed their visas, according to Homeland Security reports.

Experts point out that these numbers are too small to justify Bhutan’s red-listing.

Some analysts believe the decision may relate to a decades-old refugee issue. In the 1990s, Bhutan expelled about 80,000 Nepali-speaking Hindus as part of its “One Nation, One People” policy. Many of them resettled in the United States, but Bhutan has refused to allow their return. That unresolved issue may continue to influence U.S. immigration reviews.

In 2023, a fraud scandal added more complexity. Hundreds of Nepalis entered the United States by posing as fake Bhutanese refugees using forged documents. High-level officials in Nepal were implicated. Although Bhutan had no direct role, the incident may have damaged its standing in U.S. security systems.

Some observers suggest that Bhutan’s inclusion could result from a bureaucratic error. Bangladesh, a neighboring country with rising Islamist activity, was not listed. Analysts speculate that officials may have confused the two countries, especially under pressure to expand enforcement quickly.

The country has until mid-August to submit a detailed action plan to improve passport security, reduce visa overstays, and increase cooperation with U.S. deportation efforts.

If the Trump administration is not satisfied with Bhutan’s response, it may impose a full or partial travel ban. The impact could be severe, affecting Bhutanese students, tourists, and families with ties to the United States.

Trump’s team insists the policy focuses on national security, not discrimination. But critics say the strategy risks alienating peaceful nations with limited infrastructure. Bhutan, long admired for its environmental leadership and high happiness index, may struggle to meet sudden demands from Washington.

With the deadline approaching, Bhutan faces a diplomatic challenge. The country will need to defend its record to avoid penalties under an increasingly aggressive U.S. immigration system.

Whether Bhutan stays off the final list depends on how swiftly it can address U.S. concerns — and how willing the Trump administration is to listen.