Trump Administration Plans New Travel Ban on Afghanistan and Pakistan
Key Developments
- Proposed Travel Ban: President Donald Trump is expected to implement a new travel restriction that could bar individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the U.S. as early as next week.
- Security Concerns: The ban is based on a government review assessing countries’ security and vetting processes. Other nations may also be included.
- Policy Context: The move follows Trump’s previous travel ban on majority-Muslim countries, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 but later repealed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Impact on Afghan Refugees & Visa Holders
- At-Risk Populations: The ban could affect tens of thousands of Afghans who worked for the U.S. during the war and have been approved for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) or refugee resettlement.
- Stringent Vetting: Refugees and SIV holders already undergo extensive background checks, making them “among the most highly vetted populations,” according to sources.
- Potential Exemptions: The State Department is seeking an exemption for SIV holders, but approval is uncertain.
Implementation & Enforcement
- Executive Order: Trump’s January 20 order mandated stricter vetting for foreign travelers and directed officials to recommend travel suspensions for countries with “deficient” screening procedures by March 12.
- Closure of Afghan Resettlement Office: The U.S. Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts has been instructed to develop a plan for shutting down by April.
Wider Immigration Crackdown
- Broader Restrictions Planned: Trump previously outlined plans to restrict immigration from Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other regions perceived as security risks.
- Freeze on Refugee Admissions: Since January 20, a 90-day suspension on refugee admissions has left around 200,000 Afghans stranded worldwide, including 20,000 in Pakistan.
Urgent Warnings
- Advocacy Groups React: Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, urged visa holders to travel immediately if possible, warning of imminent restrictions.
- Awaiting Official Announcement: While no formal statement has been released, multiple government sources indicate the ban is imminent.
The proposed travel ban underscores the Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration restrictions. While framed as a national security measure, the policy may leave thousands of vulnerable Afghans and Pakistanis in limbo, complicating U.S. resettlement commitments and straining international relations.
