Trump's New Travel Ban Could Bar Pakistanis and Afghans as Early as Next Week, Sources Say
Multiple sources familiar with the matter, quoted by different news agencies, say President Donald Trump is preparing to implement a new travel ban that could bar citizens from Pakistan and Afghanistan from entering the United States as early as next week. The ban stems from a government review of countries deemed deficient in security and vetting procedures, reminiscent of Trump's controversial first-term "Muslim ban," later repealed by President Biden.
The impending restrictions follow an executive order Trump signed on January 20, his first day back in office. The order mandated intensified security vetting of foreigners seeking U.S. admission. Cabinet members were directed to submit a list of countries from which travel should be restricted due to inadequate screening processes by March 12.
Impact on Afghan Allies
The potential ban has raised serious concerns about the future of tens of thousands of Afghans cleared for resettlement in the United States. Many of these individuals hold Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) or refugee status due to their work with American forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, which puts them at risk of Taliban retaliation.
"Afghans who have passed resettlement screenings are already the most thoroughly vetted individuals in the world," a U.S. official familiar with the process told the Times of India. "And yet, here we are, closing the door in their faces."
The ban could affect over 200,000 Afghans currently awaiting U.S. visas, including former translators, military aides, and government employees who were promised protection from Taliban retaliation. With rising Taliban violence and Islamic State insurgencies in Afghanistan, advocates worry that those left behind could face lethal consequences.
Echoes of the First Muslim Ban
This new policy shows remarkable similarities to Trump's controversial travel ban during his first term, which targeted seven predominantly Muslim countries. That policy underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Former President Joe Biden repealed the ban in 2021, calling it "a stain on our national conscience." Biden's administration worked to distance itself from Trump's restrictive immigration policies, yet many of these measures are being reinstated or expanded with Trump returning to office.
Mixed Signals on Pakistan Relations
The inclusion of Pakistan in the potential ban comes just days after Trump publicly praised the country for its cooperation in counterterrorism efforts. In his first address to Congress on Tuesday, Trump highlighted Pakistan's role in the arrest of Taliban terrorist Mohammad Sharifullah, whom the U.S. blames for a 2021 attack on American troops at Kabul airport.
"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the government of Pakistan for helping capture this monster. This was a significant day for the 13 families, most of whom I got to know very well, whose children were murdered. For the many people who suffered serious injuries on that tragic day in Afghanistan," Trump stated in his address.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed appreciation for Trump's remarks, interpreting them as a sign of restored relations between Islamabad and Washington. "We will continue to work closely with the United States to ensure regional peace and stability," Sharif stated on Wednesday.
The potential travel ban contradicts these warming relations, creating confusion about the administration's stance toward Pakistan.
Broader Immigration Crackdown
The travel ban is part of a broader immigration crackdown that Trump launched at the start of his second term. In an October 2023 speech, he pledged to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and "anywhere else that threatens our security".
Sources indicate that while Afghanistan and Pakistan are currently on the list, other countries could also be included, though specific nations have not been named.
Urgent Warning to Visa Holders
In response to the pending restrictions, Shawn Vandiver, head of the AfghanEvac coalition, urges visa holders to leave as soon as possible. The alliance, which aids Afghan evacuees, acknowledges the imminent threat the ban poses to those who have already been granted entry to the United States.
Advocates worry about a bureaucratic nightmare unfolding, with stranded visa holders, families separated, and increasing pressure on an already overwhelmed Pakistani government. With around 20,000 Afghan refugees currently trapped in Pakistan, the situation could quickly worsen if the ban is implemented.
Timeline for Implementation
The official list of banned countries is expected by March 12, by Trump's January executive order. Afghan resettlement efforts could be shut down by April, leaving thousands in limbo.
The administration's review evaluates countries' security protocols and vetting procedures. Those deemed insufficient may face full or partial travel restrictions. The executive order explicitly targets nations whose "vetting and screening information is so inadequate" that they pose potential security risks to the United States.
Historical Context and Legal Challenges
Trump's initial travel ban, issued in January 2017, encountered immediate legal challenges and widespread protests. The policy, which initially targeted Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen, underwent several revisions before the Supreme Court upheld a modified version in a 5-4 decision in June 2018.
Legal experts expect that this new ban will also encounter court challenges, especially considering its possible effects on Afghan allies who were promised protection by the U.S. government. The administration is likely to argue that the policy relies on security assessments instead of religious or ethnic factors.
International Implications
The potential ban could put a strain on U.S. relations with both Pakistan and Afghanistan at a crucial time. Pakistan, a nuclear-armed country and a long-standing U.S. ally, is currently facing a surge of violent extremism.
Relations between the U.S. and Pakistan have already soured due to concerns about Islamabad's alleged support for the Taliban rulers in Afghanistan, although Pakistan denies providing such support. The ban could further complicate these fragile diplomatic ties, even in light of Trump's recent praise for Pakistan's cooperation in counterterrorism.
For Afghanistan, the ban would represent another blow to a country still reeling from the chaotic U.S. withdrawal in 2021 and subsequent Taliban takeover. The humanitarian implications could be severe, particularly for those who risked their lives to support American forces.
Future Perspective
As the March 12 deadline approaches, affected individuals, advocacy groups, and international organizations are preparing for the potential fallout from the new travel restrictions. The ban's implementation could lead to a humanitarian crisis for Afghan allies and create diplomatic tensions with Pakistan.
The administration's final decision on which countries to include in the ban will reveal much about Trump's foreign policy priorities in his second term. It remains to be seen whether exceptions will be made for certain categories of travelers, such as those with existing visas or special immigration status.
What is clear is that Trump's approach to immigration and national security has returned to the restrictive policies that defined his first term, with potentially far-reaching consequences for international relations and thousands of individuals seeking entry to the United States.
As one U.S. official quoted by Times of India put it, the situation has created a stark contradiction: individuals who underwent extensive vetting and were promised protection may now be banned from the country that made those promises.
The coming days will be critical as the administration finalizes its list of restricted countries and determines the scope and implementation of what could become one of the most consequential immigration policies of Trump's second term.