A new travel ban from President Donald Trump could take effect as early as next week, potentially barring travelers from Pakistan and Afghanistan in a dramatic escalation of his immigration crackdown, as per the sources quoted by Reuters.
The policy, eerily reminiscent of Trump’s controversial “Muslim ban” from his first term, is set to block thousands of Afghans who aided US forces from reaching safety, throwing their fates into uncertainty.
A return to extreme vetting?
As per reports, the new restrictions stem from an executive order Trump signed on January 20, his first day back in office. The order mandates a stricter security review of foreign nationals and demands a list of countries that allegedly pose national security risks. That list, sources say, includes Afghanistan and Pakistan, with other nations possibly being added.
While the Trump administration insists the move is about security, critics call it a heartless betrayal of Afghan allies who risked their lives working alongside American forces.
“They vetted us, then they banned us”
Among those left in limbo are over 200,000 Afghans awaiting US visas—many of them former translators, military aides, and government workers promised protection from Taliban retaliation.
“Afghans who cleared resettlement screenings are already the most heavily vetted people in the world,” a US official familiar with the process was quoted as saying. “And yet, here we are, shutting the door in their faces.”
Trump’s crackdown also comes amid rising Taliban violence and Islamic State insurgencies in Afghanistan, leaving many fearing that deportations or stranded visa applicants could face deadly consequences.
Pakistan also on the list?
Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation and longtime US ally, is also expected to be included in the ban. The move is likely to inflame tensions between Washington and Islamabad, especially as Pakistan grapples with its own wave of violent extremism.
With 20,000 Afghan refugees stuck in Pakistan, advocates fear a bureaucratic nightmare unfolding—stranded visa holders, families torn apart, and mounting pressure on an already overwhelmed Pakistani government.
“Leave now” warning issued
In response, Shawn VanDiver, head of the #AfghanEvac coalition, is urging visa holders to leave immediately.
“Multiple sources within the US government suggest a new travel restriction could be implemented within the next week,” he said in a statement.
What happens next?
The official list of banned countries is expected by March 12, while Afghan resettlement efforts could be shut down by April. Trump’s 90-day freeze on refugee admissions has already left thousands stranded in limbo.
While legal challenges and diplomatic pushback are inevitable, for many Afghans and Pakistanis desperate to reach the US, time is running out.