The Trump administration plans to impose new entry restrictions for several countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, as part of a security review. Advocacy groups warn of serious implications for Afghan refugees. The final list of countries will be announced soon, with civil rights organizations opposing the new measures.

The Trump administration is allegedly preparing to implement new entry restrictions for various nations, which could limit travel and visa access for individuals from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela. This action follows an Executive Order dated January 20, which directed federal agencies to evaluate countries lacking adequate security screening and vetting processes, with the goal of tightening entry requirements. Details regarding the affected nations are anticipated to be announced soon.

During President Trump’s first term, a series of travel bans were enacted starting in 2017. The initial version of this policy primarily targeted Muslim-majority nations, leading to significant backlash from various parties who labeled it as a “Muslim Ban.” Nevertheless, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the third iteration of the ban in 2018, affirming the President’s authority in enforcing national security measures.

Although the definitive list of restricted countries is not yet confirmed, Afghanistan and Pakistan are reportedly under consideration for potential inclusion. Advocacy groups like the International Refugee Admissions Project (IRAP) have expressed concern that such restrictions could severely affect Afghan refugees, especially Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders fleeing from Taliban oppression. Reports further highlight that Pakistan is under scrutiny due to security issues and alleged inadequacies in its vetting protocols, which could impact numerous Pakistani nationals seeking U.S. visas.

Swift opposition to the potential travel ban has emerged from civil rights organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which assert that the proposed measures would be detrimental. Critics contend that the existing vetting procedures employed by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are already among the strictest in the world, rendering additional restrictions unnecessary.

The Trump administration continues to review security and vetting measures with a view towards finalizing a list of countries subject to new entry restrictions. Under the Executive Order’s mandate, the State Department and DHS have a period of 60 days to finalize and publish the list. As the deadline approaches, an official announcement is expected shortly. For further information, updates can be accessed at the official websites of the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security.

In summary, the Trump administration is poised to implement potential entry restrictions on multiple nations, following a recent Executive Order evaluating security and vetting procedures. Advocacy groups have raised concerns regarding the implications for Afghan refugees and criticized the necessity of further restrictions. With a final list of impacted countries forthcoming within the next sixty days, stakeholders are keenly awaiting the government’s announcement.

Original Source: www.travelandtourworld.com

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