President Donald Trump is preparing to implement a new travel ban that could restrict individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the United States as early as next week. This decision follows a government review assessing security and vetting procedures of various countries.
The anticipated ban may impact tens of thousands of Afghans who have been approved for resettlement in the U.S. as refugees or through Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), due to threats from the Taliban stemming from their association with U.S. forces during the 20-year conflict. Advocates highlight that these individuals undergo rigorous screening processes, making them among the most thoroughly vetted groups globally.
This move mirrors President Trump’s previous travel bans targeting several majority-Muslim nations, policies that were rescinded by former President Joe Biden in 2021. The current administration has intensified security vetting and is compiling a list of countries with inadequate screening procedures to determine potential travel restrictions.
The proposed ban raises concerns about the resettlement prospects of approximately 200,000 Afghans worldwide, including around 20,000 in Pakistan, who are awaiting relocation to the U.S. The State Department and other agencies have yet to comment on the potential policy, and it remains uncertain whether exemptions will be granted for those holding Special Immigrant Visas.
