Washington, March 6, 2025: President Donald Trump is preparing to impose a new travel ban that could bar Afghans and Pakistanis from entering the United States as soon as next week, according to three sources familiar with the matter. The ban is based on a government review assessing security and vetting risks posed by various countries.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said other countries may also be included, though their identities remain unclear.
The move is reminiscent of Trump’s first-term travel restrictions, which initially targeted seven majority-Muslim nations and faced multiple legal challenges before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
Former President Joe Biden repealed the ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
The proposed ban could have far-reaching consequences, especially for tens of thousands of Afghans who have been cleared for resettlement in the US under refugee programs or Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Many of these individuals face Taliban retribution for assisting US forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
While the State Department is reportedly seeking an exemption for SIV holders, one source indicated it is “unlikely to be granted.”
The latest move stems from an executive order Trump issued on January 20, which mandates stricter security vetting for all foreigners seeking US admission. Under the order, cabinet officials must submit by March 12 a list of countries whose citizens should face partial or full travel restrictions due to insufficient vetting and screening procedures.
The sources confirmed that Afghanistan and Pakistan are both expected to be on the recommended list.
The State, Justice, and Homeland Security departments, along with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, have not yet commented on the potential ban.
One source noted that Afghan refugees and SIV applicants already undergo some of the most stringent security screenings in the world, arguing that the ban would unfairly target a highly vetted population.
Meanwhile, Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, a coalition assisting Afghan resettlement efforts, urged visa holders to travel immediately if possible.
“While no official announcement has been made, multiple sources within the US government suggest a new travel restriction could be implemented within the next week,” he said in a statement.
VanDiver warned that the ban could significantly impact the roughly 200,000 Afghans who have been approved for US resettlement or have pending refugee and SIV applications.
Currently, an estimated 20,000 Afghans in Pakistan remain stranded, along with thousands more in nearly 90 other countries. Their situation has been further complicated by Trump’s January 20 order, which imposed a 90-day freeze on refugee admissions and foreign aid funding their relocation.
The expected ban comes amid ongoing instability in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghanistan: The Taliban, who regained control of Kabul in August 2021, are battling an insurgency by Islamic State’s regional branch.
Pakistan: The country continues to grapple with violent Islamist militancy and economic challenges.
Trump has been vocal about tightening immigration policies. In an October 2023 speech, he pledged to restrict travel from countries like Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and others deemed security risks.
With the potential ban looming, Afghan and Pakistani nationals seeking to travel to the US face growing uncertainty.
