The proposed ban is part of an ongoing security review assessing vetting procedures in certain countries, sources told Reuters. While details remain unclear, other nations could also be added to the list, the report noted.
Implications for Afghans at risk
If enforced, the ban could have dire consequences for tens of thousands of Afghans who were approved for resettlement in the US under refugee or Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs. Many of these individuals are at risk of Taliban retaliation for assisting US military and diplomatic efforts during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to identify potential national security threats and recommend travel restrictions for countries with inadequate screening measures. Agencies were required to submit their findings by March 21.
This initiative aligns with Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, first announced in October 2023, when he vowed to limit immigration from regions including Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
Pakistan, Afghanistan expected to face full ban
According to Reuters, Afghanistan and Pakistan are among the countries expected to be subject to a full travel ban, though official confirmation is pending.
As per the report, one source pointed out that Afghans approved for US relocation undergo extensive screening, making them “more highly vetted than any population” globally. However, the State Department’s Afghan relocation office is reportedly pushing for an exemption for SIV holders—though success is uncertain.
The office has also been instructed to prepare for its closure by April, as previously reported by Reuters.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021, Afghanistan has faced escalating threats from ISIS’s regional branch, while Pakistan continues to struggle with security challenges posed by Islamist militant groups.
Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, an advocacy group assisting with Afghan resettlement, urged those with valid US visas to travel immediately.
“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,” VanDiver told Reuters.
At present, approximately 200,000 Afghans have either been approved for resettlement or have pending refugee or SIV applications. Many remain stranded, including about 20,000 in Pakistan, after Trump’s January executive order froze refugee admissions and funding for evacuation flights.
