New Travel Ban

A new travel ban under President Donald Trump could restrict entry to the United States for individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the policy potentially taking effect as early as next week, according to Reuters.

New Restrictions Echo Past Travel Bans

Sources familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that additional countries may be included in the ban, though no specific names were disclosed. This move reflects Trump’s first-term travel restrictions on majority-Muslim nations, a policy upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 after multiple revisions.

The ban was previously revoked by Joe Biden in 2021, who called it “a stain on our national conscience.”

Impact on Afghan Refugees and Special Immigrant Visa Holders

The proposed restrictions could significantly impact tens of thousands of Afghans approved for U.S. resettlement under refugee programs or Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Many of these individuals previously assisted the U.S. military in Afghanistan and are at risk of Taliban retribution.

READ MORE: Trump Acknowledges Pakistan’s Role in Capturing Kabul Airport Attack Mastermind

Trump’s January 20 executive order mandates stricter security screenings for foreign travelers, with officials required to submit a list of high-risk countries by March 12. Afghanistan and Pakistan are expected to be on this list, according to Reuters sources.

Security Concerns and Exemptions Under Consideration

• Afghans seeking resettlement already undergo extensive vetting, making them one of the most thoroughly screened populations in the world.
• The State Department is reportedly seeking an exemption for SIV holders, but approval remains uncertain.
• The U.S. Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts has been instructed to develop a closure plan by April, potentially impacting ongoing resettlement efforts.

Regional Security and Justification for the Ban

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, Afghanistan has remained unstable, facing threats from ISIS-K. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to combat Islamist militancy.

Trump’s broader immigration crackdown includes travel restrictions on regions such as Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, aligning with his October 2023 speech on national security threats.

Urgent Warning for Afghan Visa Holders

Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, has urged visa holders to travel to the U.S. immediately. He stated, “While no official announcement has been made, multiple government sources suggest new travel restrictions could take effect within a week.”

Currently, around 200,000 Afghans have been approved for U.S. resettlement or have pending applications for refugee status or SIVs. Many remain stranded in Afghanistan and 90 other countries, including 20,000 in Pakistan, following Trump’s January 20 order freezing refugee admissions and halting foreign aid that funds their travel.