The U.S. may soon impose a travel ban on Pakistan and Afghanistan, potentially affecting thousands of individuals seeking resettlement. This follows President Trump’s review of visa policies and heightened vetting processes. While Pakistani officials express hope for exclusion, many Afghan nationals remain in limbo amid rising tensions surrounding the ban.
The United States may soon impose a travel ban on individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of a potential expansion of the previous Muslim ban initiated during President Donald Trump’s first term. A critical report on this matter is expected to reach the White House on March 12, following Trump’s order in January for a review of visa-approval protocols and enhanced visitor vetting processes.
Shawn Vandiver, leader of the AfghanEvac coalition, indicated that the new list of countries likely to face travel restrictions includes Pakistan and Afghanistan, although there are hopes that refugees might be exempt from these measures. Reports suggest that while Pakistani officials remain optimistic about being excluded from the new restrictions due to recent positive dialogues with the U.S., many Afghan nationals still await travel approvals amid escalating tensions surrounding the ban.
In his recent address to Congress, Trump expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s assistance in apprehending key suspects connected to past attacks, suggesting a nuanced approach towards relations with that country. His executive order from January mandated the identification of various countries that may warrant partial or full suspensions of nationals’ admissions based on security assessments.
According to sources, a broader travel ban could be imminent, barring entry for thousands of Afghans and possibly Pakistani citizens who are eligible for resettlement. Historical context reveals that the initial Muslim travel ban in 2017 brought immediate disarray at U.S. airports, resulting in numerous legal challenges that were eventually resolved by the Supreme Court in 2018.
The new ban could jeopardize the status of over 200,000 Afghans who have been cleared for U.S. resettlement, many of whom are at risk of Taliban retribution for their support of U.S. military efforts. Notably, recent estimates indicate a significant Pakistani diaspora in the U.S., with potentially over one million residents and over 10,000 Pakistani students in higher education programs. Additionally, further complicating matters, many Afghans remain stranded in multiple countries, including Pakistan, as a result of Trump’s current freeze on refugee admissions and foreign aid funding.
The proposed travel ban by the Trump administration could significantly affect individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly those seeking resettlement in the United States. As discussions progress and reports are evaluated, the implications for thousands of potential refugees remain uncertain. Moreover, the past experience from the 2017 Muslim ban serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in such governmental decisions, emphasizing the urgent need for clarity and humanitarian considerations amidst these developments.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
