A new travel ban under U.S. President Donald Trump could block individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the United States as early as next week, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that other countries might also be included, though they did not specify which ones. The move mirrors Trump’s first-term ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018, Reuters reported.
Former President Joe Biden repealed the previous ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
Impact on Afghan Refugees
The new restrictions, if enforced, could have serious consequences for tens of thousands of Afghans already cleared for resettlement in the U.S. through refugee programs or Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Many of these individuals face Taliban retribution due to their past work with the U.S. government during its 20-year war in Afghanistan.
“Afghans applying for resettlement in the US as refugees or through Special Immigrant Visas already undergo an extensive screening process, making them ‘more highly vetted than any population’ globally,” one source told Reuters.
The State Department’s Afghan resettlement office is advocating for an exemption for SIV holders, but the request is unlikely to be granted, the source added.
Executive Order on Immigration
On Jan. 20, Trump signed an executive order requiring stricter security screening for foreigners seeking entry into the US, citing national security concerns. The order directed multiple government agencies to submit a list of countries by March 12 whose vetting processes are deemed inadequate, potentially leading to partial or full travel suspensions.
According to Reuters, Afghanistan is expected to face a complete travel ban, while Pakistan is also likely to be recommended.
Broader Immigration Crackdown
Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to grapple with Islamist militancy, which has contributed to its inclusion in the list of potential bans. Trump has framed the policy as part of a broader immigration crackdown, previewing his plans in an October 2023 speech, where he vowed to restrict travel from regions like Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, among others.
Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac—a coalition assisting with Afghan resettlement—urged visa holders to leave for the US as soon as possible if they have the opportunity.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Stranded Afghan Applicants
If enforced, the ban could impact around 200,000 Afghans who have already been approved for U.S. resettlement or are awaiting decisions on refugee or SIV applications. Many of them remain stranded in Afghanistan and nearly 90 other countries—including about 20,000 in Pakistan—following Trump’s January 20 order that froze refugee admissions for 90 days and halted funding for relocation flights, Reuters reported.
The Taliban, who seized control of Kabul in August 2021 after the U.S. military withdrawal, continue to face an insurgency from the Islamic State’s regional branch, further complicating the situation for those awaiting resettlement.
