President Donald Trump is poised to implement a travel ban restricting entry to individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan, potentially affecting tens of thousands of refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders. This follows an executive order and echoes previous travel restrictions from his first term. Advocacy groups have urged visa holders to act quickly due to the impending measures.

Recent reports indicate that President Donald Trump is preparing to implement a travel ban that may restrict entry to the United States for individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan, potentially as soon as next week. This decision follows an executive order requiring the government to propose a list of countries with partial or complete travel suspensions. Other countries may be included on this list, although specific details remain undisclosed.

This anticipated travel ban echoes restrictions enforced during Trump’s first term, which targeted several Muslim-majority nations in 2017. While the Supreme Court upheld these measures in 2018, they were later revoked in 2021 by the Biden administration. Trump had previously outlined his intentions in an October 2023 speech, indicating plans for restrictions on travelers from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, among others.

Particularly concerning is the potential impact on tens of thousands of Afghans in the U.S. as refugees or Special Immigrant Visa holders, who face persecution due to their association with the U.S. military during the prolonged conflict. Trump’s recent order mandates security vetting for all foreign nations and requires cabinet members to compile a list of countries for potential travel suspension by March 21 due to inadequate screening measures.

Reports suggest that while Afghanistan will likely face a comprehensive travel ban, Pakistan is proposed for inclusion in the recommendations. However, the U.S. Department of State is reportedly pursuing exemptions for holders of Special Immigrant Visas from the upcoming restrictions.

Following the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2021, Afghanistan has been experiencing significant unrest with the Islamic State (IS) Khorasan insurgency. Meanwhile, Pakistan is engaged in ongoing conflicts with militant factions including IS and the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TPP) near its Afghan border.

Shawn VanDiver, head of AfghanEvac, which assists Afghan resettlement, has urged individuals with valid U.S. visas to travel promptly, indicating that the impending restrictions could severely affect Afghan visa holders awaiting relocation. He noted, “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.”

Since the enforcement of the order on January 20, which halted refugee admissions, approximately 200,000 Afghans have found themselves stranded across 90 nations, including individuals awaiting resettlement approval in the U.S. and those applying under the Special Immigrant Visa program, with 20,000 of these applicants currently residing in Pakistan.

In summary, President Trump’s upcoming travel ban may impose significant restrictions on entry for individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan into the United States. This move could severely affect Afghan refugees and visa holders, echoing previous restrictions enacted during Trump’s first term. While the situation remains fluid, the urgency for Afghan individuals to travel before the onset of these restrictions has been emphasized by advocacy groups. The implications of this ban will likely be profound, impacting thousands who have supported U.S. operations in Afghanistan.

Original Source: indianexpress.com

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