A new travel ban under President Donald Trump could prevent individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the U.S. as early as next week, according to three sources familiar with the matter. These sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, noted that additional countries might be included but did not specify which ones.
The move is reminiscent of Trump’s first-term ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, revoked the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
The proposed restrictions could impact tens of thousands of Afghans who have been approved for resettlement in the U.S. as refugees or through Special Immigrant Visas due to threats from the Taliban for their work with the U.S. during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
On January 20, Trump issued an executive order requiring stricter security vetting for foreign nationals entering the U.S. to identify potential national security risks. The order directed key cabinet officials to submit a list of countries by March 12 for which travel should be fully or partially suspended due to inadequate security screening processes. According to sources, Afghanistan is expected to be included in the list, and Pakistan is also likely to be recommended.
The State, Justice, and Homeland Security departments, along with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, have not yet responded to requests for comment. One source emphasized that Afghans approved for resettlement in the U.S. undergo rigorous screening, making them “among the most highly vetted populations in the world.” The State Department office handling their resettlement is seeking an exemption for Special Immigrant Visa holders, but approval appears unlikely.
This office, known as the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, has reportedly been instructed to devise a plan for closure by April. Meanwhile, the Taliban, who took control of Kabul in August 2021 following the U.S. troop withdrawal, are facing an insurgency from the Islamic State’s regional faction. Pakistan is also dealing with violent Islamist militant groups.
Trump’s directive is part of his broader immigration crackdown, a priority in his second term. In an October 2023 speech, he outlined plans to restrict travel from regions such as Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other areas deemed security threats.
Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac—a coalition assisting with Afghan evacuations and resettlements—urged visa holders to travel immediately if possible. While no formal announcement has been made, multiple U.S. government sources suggest that new travel restrictions could take effect within a week, potentially disrupting plans for Afghan visa holders awaiting relocation.
Currently, around 200,000 Afghans have been approved for U.S. resettlement or have pending applications for refugee status or Special Immigrant Visas. Many remain stranded in Afghanistan and nearly 90 other countries, including approximately 20,000 in Pakistan. Their situation has been exacerbated since January 20, when Trump ordered a 90-day suspension of refugee admissions and foreign aid that supports their travel to the U.S.
