Washington: The United States may soon impose a new travel ban that could prevent individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the country as early as next week, according to three sources familiar with the situation.
These sources, speaking anonymously, suggested that additional nations might also be affected, though they did not specify which ones. The move is reminiscent of a similar policy enacted during Donald Trump’s first term, which restricted travel from several Muslim-majority countries. That policy underwent multiple modifications before being upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, according to Reuters.
In 2021, then-President Joe Biden revoked the earlier ban, calling it a “stain on our national conscience.”
If implemented, the new restrictions could significantly impact thousands of Afghans who have already been approved for U.S. resettlement under refugee programs or Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Many of these individuals are at risk of retaliation from the Taliban due to their prior associations with the U.S. government during its two-decade-long presence in Afghanistan.
Tighter Security Measures for Foreign Travelers
On January 20, Trump signed an executive order mandating stricter security screening for foreign travelers, citing concerns over national security. The directive instructed various government agencies to identify, by March 12, countries with inadequate vetting procedures. Those identified could face either partial or full travel restrictions.
According to Reuters, Afghanistan is expected to be fully restricted, while Pakistan is also likely to be placed under limitations. However, official responses from the U.S. Department of State, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence are still pending.
One source highlighted that Afghans applying for refugee status or SIVs already undergo extensive security checks, making them one of the most thoroughly vetted groups in the world. Meanwhile, efforts from the State Department to secure exemptions for SIV holders appear unlikely to succeed.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. forces, Afghanistan has continued to experience security threats, including an insurgency from the Islamic State’s regional faction. Meanwhile, Pakistan is dealing with increasing extremist violence.
Trump has positioned the new travel restrictions as part of his broader strategy to tighten immigration policies. In a speech in October 2023, he pledged to limit travel from regions considered security risks, including Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, an organization assisting in Afghan resettlement efforts, urged eligible visa holders to leave for the U.S. as soon as possible.
“Although no official announcement has been made, multiple sources inside the U.S. government indicate that new travel restrictions could be enforced within a week,” he stated.
The potential ban could affect approximately 200,000 Afghans awaiting resettlement approval or decisions on their refugee or SIV applications. Many remain stranded in Afghanistan and nearly 90 other countries, including about 20,000 currently in Pakistan. This follows Trump’s recent 90-day suspension of refugee admissions and a freeze on funding for relocation flights, which was ordered on January 20.
