Why Bhutan May Make Trump’s Travel Ban List
Photo Credit: The Tiger’s Nest, Taktsang Trail in Paro, Bhutan. Unsplash / Aaron Santelices
Skift Take
Bhutan’s name on the list might be less of an oversight and more of a deliberate move by U.S. policymakers, looking to get ahead of future challenges in an increasingly complex immigration landscape.
As the Trump administration considers imposing travel restrictions on dozens of countries, potentially implementing a full ban on up to 11 nations, one name on the potential list has raised eyebrows: Bhutan.
This small Himalayan kingdom, home to fewer than 800,000 people, actively prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH) and a maintains peaceful foreign policy.
Bhutan has maintained a low-profile global presence, and rarely faced security threats. So dedicated is it to preserve its unique Buddhist culture that Bhutan only welcomed foreign tourists in the 1970s and introduced television broadcasts as late as 1998.
Yet, Bhutan’s inclusion in the proposed U.S. travel ban, according to reports in the New York Times and Reuters, has left many wondering why this famously peaceful nation has been singled out.
EduYoung Happyness, an educational consultancy, addressed concerns on social media, clarifying that Bhutan’s inclusion is still under review and not finalized. The company further emphasized that the proposed restriction applies only to the U.S. and does not impact travel or immigration to countries like Australia or New Zealand. “We urge everyone to stay calm and wait for official updates from the concerned authorities b
