WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump is expected to introduce a new travel ban that could prevent individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the United States as early as next week, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The restriction is reportedly based on an assessment of national security and vetting standards for various countries.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that additional countries may also be included in the ban, though specifics remain unclear. This move echoes Trump’s first-term travel ban, which targeted seven majority-Muslim nations and underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018.
Trump’s predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, had rescinded the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” The reimposition of restrictions could particularly affect tens of thousands of Afghans who were approved for resettlement in the US under Special Immigrant Visas or refugee programs due to their ties with American forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
On January 20, Trump signed an executive order mandating stricter security screenings for all foreign travelers seeking entry into the US, citing national security concerns. The order requires key government departments to submit a list by March 12 recommending which countries should face full or partial travel suspensions due to inadequate vetting procedures.
According to the sources, Afghanistan is set to be included in the proposed list for a full travel ban. Pakistan is also expected to be recommended for inclusion.
The US Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security, along with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which are involved in shaping this policy, have not provided any official response regarding the matter.
One source highlighted that Afghans approved for resettlement in the US undergo rigorous background checks, making them “one of the most highly vetted groups in the world.” Efforts are reportedly underway to secure an exemption for Special Immigrant Visa holders, but chances of approval remain slim.
The US State Department’s office handling Afghan relocation has been directed to formulate a closure plan by April, according to a previous report by Reuters. This development comes as Afghanistan continues to grapple with security threats from Daesh-affiliated insurgents, while Pakistan faces ongoing militant violence.
The anticipated travel restrictions are part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, a priority he reaffirmed during his campaign. In an October 2023 speech, he pledged to impose strict entry limitations on individuals from the Middle East, Africa, and any regions deemed a security threat.
Shawn VanDiver, leader of #AfghanEvac—a coalition assisting Afghan evacuees—urged those with valid US visas to travel at the earliest opportunity.
“Though no formal announcement has been made, multiple US government sources suggest that a new travel restriction may be imposed within the next week,” he stated.
Such a ban would directly impact Afghan visa holders awaiting relocation, he added.
At present, an estimated 200,000 Afghans have either been approved for resettlement or have pending applications under the US refugee and Special Immigrant Visa programs. Since January 20, when Trump enacted a 90-day freeze on refugee admissions and suspended related foreign aid, many remain stranded in Afghanistan and nearly 90 other countries—including approximately 20,000 in Pakistan.
