Trump Administration Considers New Travel Ban Targeting Afghanistan and Pakistan

The proposed policy could block thousands of Afghan and Pakistani nationals, including U.S. allies, from entering the United States over security concerns.

A draft recommendation for a new travel ban could restrict entry to the U.S. for citizens of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and potentially other countries, citing deficient vetting and security risks.
The ban may affect tens of thousands of Afghans who worked with U.S. forces and have been approved for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) or refugee resettlement, leaving them at risk of Taliban retribution.
The State Department is reportedly seeking exemptions for SIV holders, but sources suggest such exemptions are unlikely to be granted.
Advocacy groups, including AfghanEvac, have urged Afghan visa holders to travel immediately, warning of the potential implementation of the ban as early as next week.
This policy follows a January executive order by President Trump directing intensified vetting processes and a review of countries with inadequate screening protocols.