The U.S. may soon impose a travel ban on Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of President Trump’s renewed focus on immigration policies from his first term. A report will be reviewed on March 12, and there are concerns about the impact on Afghan refugees. Pakistan remains hopeful due to recent cooperative actions recognized by the U.S. Additionally, over 200,000 Afghans awaiting resettlement may be affected by the new restrictions.
The United States government is considering imposing a travel ban on individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan as early as next week. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to revisit and possibly expand the previous Muslim ban initiated during his first term. Shawn Vandiver, head of the AfghanEvac coalition, announced that a report regarding this matter would be presented to the White House on March 12. Following a review of visa processes and enhanced vetting criteria, immediate action is expected from the Trump administration regarding this issue.
Vandiver indicated that the list of affected countries might soon be disclosed, with the hope that refugees would be exempt from this ban despite no final decisions being confirmed. Pakistani officials reportedly feel optimistic that their country may not be included in the travel restrictions. This perspective is buoyed by Mr. Trump’s recent praise for Islamabad’s cooperation in apprehending a suspect linked to a deadly bombing in Kabul in 2021, where multiple Americans and Afghans lost their lives.
In January, Mr. Trump’s executive order mandated that federal agencies evaluate international security risks related to country-specific vetting deficiencies. Reports suggest that the impending travel ban may encompass broader restrictions than the version implemented in his first administration. The original ban had already affected several Middle Eastern countries and faced considerable legal challenges before its last iteration was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
The proposed travel ban could adversely impact tens of thousands of Afghans who have been granted refugee status or Special Immigrant Visas due to threats from the Taliban for their association with U.S. efforts during a two-decade-long conflict. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates there were approximately 629,946 residents of Pakistani descent in 2021, with more recent figures projecting this population to exceed one million. Furthermore, over 10,000 Pakistani students are currently studying in the United States, alongside around 200,000 Afghans awaiting resettlement or current visa applications.
The potential reinstatement and expansion of the travel ban to include Pakistan and Afghanistan signify a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. The urgency of this situation especially influences Afghan individuals who may face dire consequences if the ban is enacted. Furthermore, the ramifications may extend to educational and familial ties within the U.S. as the Pakistani and Afghan populations navigate these challenges amid shifting governmental policies.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
