As US President Donald Trump intensifies measures against immigration, reports indicate that individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan may face a travel ban. According to Reuters, the administration is contemplating this action due to concerns over security and vetting processes.
A review conducted by the government has led to the preparation of a list of countries deemed high-risk, potentially affecting travelers from these two nations. Sources suggest that additional countries could also be included in this list, although specifics remain unconfirmed.
This move echoes Trump’s earlier travel ban during his first term, which targeted seven majority-Muslim countries and underwent several revisions before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Former President Joe Biden reversed this policy in 2021, labeling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
The implications of a new travel ban could be significant, particularly for tens of thousands of Afghans who have been approved for resettlement in the US under refugee programs or Special Immigrant Visas.
Earlier this year, on January 20, President Trump signed an executive order mandating stricter security screenings for foreign nationals seeking entry into the US, citing national security risks. The order also tasked various government agencies with identifying nations with inadequate vetting processes by March 12, which could lead to partial or total travel suspensions.
While no official announcement has been made regarding the travel ban, reports suggest that the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts has been instructed to devise a closure plan by April.
Shawn VanDiver, leader of #AfghanEvac, a coalition focused on the evacuation and resettlement of Afghans, urged those holding valid US visas to travel as soon as possible. He noted, “While no official announcement has been made, multiple sources within the U.S. government suggest a new travel restriction could be implemented within the next week.”
