The administration of President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to impose a new travel ban that could prevent people from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the United States as early as next week, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Three sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that other countries may also be included in the ban, though no further details were available. The move recalls the travel restrictions implemented during Trump’s first term, which targeted several Muslim-majority nations. That policy, after multiple revisions, was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. The ban was later revoked in 2021 by former President Joe Biden, who denounced it as “a stain on our national conscience.”
The potential new restrictions could significantly impact tens of thousands of Afghans who have been cleared for resettlement in the U.S. as refugees or through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Many of these individuals face security risks in Afghanistan due to their past associations with U.S. military and diplomatic efforts.
The travel ban would be implemented as part of an executive order signed by Trump on January 20, which mandates enhanced security screening for foreign nationals seeking entry into the U.S. The order requires several federal agencies to submit a list of countries deemed to have inadequate vetting procedures by March 12. According to the sources, Afghanistan is expected to be included in the list for a full travel suspension, and Pakistan is also likely to be recommended.
U.S. agencies, including the Departments of State, Justice, and Homeland Security, have yet to comment on the matter. One source emphasized that Afghans approved for U.S. resettlement undergo one of the world’s most rigorous screening processes. Despite this, the office overseeing Afghan resettlement efforts is reportedly seeking an exemption for SIV holders, though its chances of success remain uncertain.
The State Department's Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts has also been directed to formulate a plan for its closure by April, as previously reported. The anticipated travel restrictions could further complicate the situation for approximately 200,000 Afghans awaiting U.S. resettlement, many of whom are stranded in Afghanistan and nearly 90 other countries, including around 20,000 currently in Pakistan.
Trump’s policy shift aligns with his broader immigration crackdown, which he outlined during an October 2023 speech. At the time, he pledged to impose travel restrictions on individuals from conflict zones such as Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, along with other areas deemed security risks.
Shawn VanDiver, who leads the #AfghanEvac coalition working to assist Afghan evacuees, urged those holding valid U.S. visas to travel immediately if possible. He warned that while no official announcement has been made, multiple government sources suggest the restrictions could take effect within the next week, significantly impacting Afghan visa holders awaiting relocation.
Since January 20, Trump has also enacted a 90-day freeze on refugee admissions and foreign aid that supports evacuation efforts. The decision has left thousands of Afghans, already approved for U.S. entry, unable to leave their current locations.
As the March 12 deadline approaches, the fate of Afghan and Pakistani travelers seeking entry into the U.S. remains uncertain, raising concerns among humanitarian organizations and resettlement advocates.