A new travel ban under President Donald Trump could soon restrict entry to the U.S. for individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan, potentially taking effect as early as next week, according to three sources familiar with the matter, as reported by Reuters.
The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that other countries might also be included in the ban but did not specify which ones. This move echoes Trump’s first-term travel restrictions on several majority-Muslim nations, a policy that underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Former President Joe Biden repealed the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” The new restrictions could significantly impact tens of thousands of Afghans approved for resettlement in the U.S. under refugee programs or Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), many of whom face Taliban retribution for assisting the U.S. during its 20-year military presence in Afghanistan.
Trump signed an executive order on January 20 mandating stricter security screenings for foreign travelers to detect potential national security threats. The order requires officials to submit a list by March 12 of countries where travel should be fully or partially suspended due to inadequate vetting and screening procedures.
Afghanistan is expected to be included in this list, along with Pakistan, according to multiple sources, claimed Reuters. The departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security, as well as the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, have not yet commented on the matter.
One source noted that Afghans approved for resettlement already undergo extensive security checks, making them “one of the most thoroughly vetted populations in the world.” The State Department’s office overseeing their resettlement is reportedly seeking an exemption for SIV holders, though approval is uncertain. Additionally, Reuters reported last month that this office, the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, has been instructed to develop a closure plan by April.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, Afghanistan has faced ongoing instability, including an insurgency by ISIS-K. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to struggle with violent Islamist militancy.
The travel ban aligns with Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which he outlined in an October 2023 speech, vowing to restrict entry from regions including Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other areas deemed security threats.
Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, a coalition assisting Afghan evacuations and resettlement, urged visa holders to travel to the U.S. as soon as possible. “While no official announcement has been made, multiple government sources suggest new travel restrictions could take effect within a week,” he stated, warning that the ban could severely impact Afghan visa holders awaiting relocation.
Currently, around 200,000 Afghans are either approved for U.S. resettlement or have pending applications for refugee status or SIVs. Many remain stranded in Afghanistan and nearly 90 other countries, including about 20,000 in Pakistan, following Trump’s January 20 order freezing refugee admissions and halting foreign aid that funds their travel.
Via: Reuters