Former President Trump may soon reinstate a travel ban targeting countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, following an executive order to draft restrictions based on vetting deficiencies. This potential ban could affect Afghans eligible for resettlement after assisting U.S. forces, raising concerns about their safety. Trump’s previous travel bans faced legal challenges but were upheld by the Supreme Court.

Former President Donald Trump is reportedly poised to reinstate a travel ban affecting several countries, including Afghanistan and Pakistan, as early as next week. This plan follows an executive order issued on January 20, which tasked cabinet members with identifying nations deserving of full or partial travel restrictions due to deficiencies in their vetting processes. This reflects Trump’s earlier commitment to restore a travel ban that was not executed at the beginning of his first term.

During his presidency, Trump enforced a travel ban on numerous majority-Muslim countries, which was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 and impacted approximately seven percent of the global population. The preliminary list for the renewed ban might comprise countries previously targeted, such as Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen, alongside Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The potential ban raises concerns regarding the thousands of Afghans who have applied for or received Special Immigrant Visas after assisting U.S. forces. There are approximately 200,000 Afghans awaiting resettlement or approval of their visa applications, and a ban would jeopardize their safety amidst threats from the Taliban. Although the State Department may seek exemptions, their approval is uncertain. Coalition AfghanEvac has urged Afghans to arrange travel if they possess valid U.S. visas, citing forthcoming changes.

In January 2017, Trump first attempted to impose a travel ban, which barred entry to travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations but was swiftly contested in court. This led to a revised ban that excluded green card holders, but it continued to face legal hurdles. A subsequent version affected six nations and North Korea, and it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. The ban remained until it was rescinded by President Joe Biden in 2021.

The potential revival of Donald Trump’s travel ban could significantly affect various countries, particularly Afghanistan and Pakistan. It raises critical concerns regarding the safety and resettlement of Afghans affiliated with U.S. forces. As the nation navigates these changes, the legal history of travel bans under Trump highlights the complexities and ramifications of such policies.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk

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