Afghanistan Times
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AT Kabul: The U.S. State Department has confirmed that Afghan nationals holding Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) are exempt from the recent travel ban issued by former President Donald Trump. The announcement ensures continued visa processing and resettlement assistance for thousands of Afghans who supported U.S. operations during the war.
Speaking at a press briefing on June 10, State Department spokesperson Timmy Bruce stated that consular processing for Afghan SIV applicants is ongoing at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide. “There has been no disruption in services for SIV holders,” Bruce said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to those eligible for the program.
The travel ban, enacted through executive order, targeted citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. However, the exemption of SIV holders underscores Washington’s continued support for Afghan interpreters, embassy staff, and contractors who face threats under Taliban rule.
While Bruce declined to comment on the increasing threat of ISIS in Afghanistan, his remarks followed Taliban claims of killing two ISIS fighters in Kabul earlier this week. The situation has renewed concerns over Afghanistan’s security and the vulnerability of U.S.-affiliated Afghans.
Human rights organizations have praised the exemption, warning that abandoning Afghan allies would amount to a breach of moral and international obligations. Advocates continue to urge the U.S. government to maintain safe and expedited pathways for resettlement as instability in Afghanistan persists.
