Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – A new travel ban by President Donald Trump could soon bar individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the United States, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The ban, expected as early as next week, is based on a government review of countries’ security and vetting risks, with Afghanistan reportedly recommended for a complete travel ban and Pakistan also likely to be included. The move echoes Trump’s first-term ban on travelers from several majority-Muslim nations, which was repealed by President Joe Biden in 2021 as a “stain on our national conscience.”
The ban could impact tens of thousands of Afghans cleared for resettlement in the U.S., including refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders at risk of Taliban retribution for aiding the U.S. during the 20-year war. Despite intense vetting of SIV applicants, the State Department’s request for an exemption for this group is unlikely to be granted, according to sources. The ban is part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which includes a January 20 executive order mandating stricter security vetting for foreign nationals.
Advocates warn the ban could leave approximately 200,000 Afghans with pending U.S. resettlement applications stranded in Afghanistan and nearly 90 other countries, including 20,000 in Pakistan. Shawn VanDiver of #AfghanEvac urged visa holders to travel to the U.S. immediately, citing concerns over the impending restrictions. The Taliban, who regained power in 2021, and Pakistan are both grappling with militant insurgencies, further complicating the situation.
