The Trump administration plans to impose a new travel ban on Muslim-majority countries, likely including Pakistan and Afghanistan, based on security risks. The proposed ban may expand to additional nations and aims to reinforce immigration policies introduced in Trump’s second term. There is uncertainty concerning exemptions for Afghan refugees and Special Immigrant Visa holders.
The Donald Trump administration is poised to introduce a new travel ban affecting Muslim-majority countries, specifically targeting Pakistan and Afghanistan, based on security and vetting concerns. Reports suggest the list might expand to other nations, although specific countries remain unspecified. The New York Times mentioned a proposed ‘red’ list of nations whose citizens would be barred from entering the U.S.
During Trump’s previous presidency, the travel ban included countries such as Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Many of these countries are expected to be retained in the new travel restrictions. The policy has undergone several revisions and was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
If the current government review is approved, implementation of the ban could begin as soon as next week, as reported by Reuters. This initiative is part of Trump’s strict immigration policies, which he announced during a speech in October 2023, emphasizing the need to restrict individuals from areas that pose security risks.
On January 20, Trump signed an executive order mandating enhanced security vetting for foreign nationals seeking U.S. entry to identify potential national security threats. The order instructed cabinet members to compile a list of countries for which entry restrictions should be applied due to inadequacies in vetting processes.
Recent reports indicate that the new travel ban may include Afghan citizens, complicating the resettlement process for many who have been cleared as refugees or Special Immigrant Visa holders. Although the State Department is advocating for an exemption for those holding Special Immigrant Visas, its approval is uncertain. Additionally, Pakistan is expected to be included in the list of nations facing travel restrictions.
The Trump administration is set to implement a travel ban that could include citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan among other Muslim-majority nations. This policy is aligned with the administration’s broader immigration crackdown. While there are efforts to exempt certain Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders, these exemptions remain uncertain, raising significant concerns about the future of thousands seeking refuge in the U.S.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
