US Considers New Travel Ban for Pakistan and Afghanistan

The US government is considering adding Pakistan and Afghanistan to a new travel ban starting next week as part of President Trump’s efforts to revise previous immigration policies. Concerns are raised over the potential impact on Afghan refugees, while Pakistani officials remain hopeful of exclusion based on diplomatic ties and cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.

The United States government is contemplating the inclusion of Pakistan and Afghanistan in its travel ban, potentially effective as early as next week. This initiative is part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to revise and possibly expand the previous Muslim ban from his initial term. Shawn Vandiver, leading the AfghanEvac coalition, indicated that the White House will receive a crucial report on this matter on March 12.

Mr. Trump initiated a review of visa approval processes and enhanced vetting for potential visitors to the United States in January. Vandiver expressed significant concern regarding the implications of this new policy, highlighting that several countries, including Pakistan and Afghanistan, may face full suspension of entry for their nationals. “We hope that refugees would be exempt from this ban … but no final decision has been made yet,” he stated after recent congressional discussions regarding supporting Afghan individuals awaiting travel to the United States.

Despite the potential ban, Pakistani officials are reportedly hopeful that their nation will not be included due to positive remarks from senior U.S. officials regarding Pakistan’s cooperation in apprehending Mohammad Sharifullah, a suspect linked to the Kabul airport suicide bombing in August 2021. Mr. Trump explicitly thanked Pakistan during a recent address for their assistance, indicating a somewhat complicated diplomatic relationship amidst the proposed travel ban.

In January, Mr. Trump ordered agencies to identify countries with insufficient vetting and screening information, warranting a potential suspension of nationals’ admission. The Pakistani embassy in Washington has not commented on the situation, while the State Department refrains from discussing internal deliberations. Reports indicate a swift implementation of new prohibitions based on security evaluations of both countries.

This revised travel ban could severely impact tens of thousands of Afghans set for resettlement in the U.S. under refugee or Special Immigrant Visas, reflecting a broader scope than the original 2017 ban affecting countries like Iran and Iraq. Thousands of Pakistani students and individuals already reside in the U.S., while approximately 200,000 Afghans await resettlement approval, many stranded in Afghanistan and around the globe due to a freeze on admissions initiated by Trump in January.

In summary, the potential inclusion of Pakistan and Afghanistan in a renewed U.S. travel ban poses significant challenges for individuals from these countries seeking entry into the United States. The implications of this policy could be far-reaching, affecting numerous Afghan refugees at risk of Taliban retribution. The complex interplay of diplomatic relations and domestic policy continues to evolve as the White House finalizes decisions in this regard.

Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com