Trump’s Planned Travel Ban: Countries Potentially Affected and Implications for Afghans
Former President Trump plans to revive a travel ban affecting Afghanistan, Pakistan, and possibly additional nations. His initial travel restrictions targeted several Muslim-majority countries and were upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. The forthcoming ban may disrupt resettlement for many Afghans who assisted U.S. military efforts. Advocates are urging immediate travel arrangements amid looming announcements. Previous bans faced legal challenges and were ultimately repealed by President Biden in 2021.
Recent reports indicate that former President Donald Trump is planning to implement a travel ban affecting countries such as Afghanistan and Pakistan. This potential ban follows an executive order issued on January 20, where Trump instructed cabinet members to compile a list of nations facing travel restrictions due to inadequate vetting processes. Notably, Trump had pledged to restore the travel ban when he assumed office, a commitment he did not initially fulfill.
During Trump’s first term, the administration imposed travel restrictions targeting various majority-Muslim nations, which the Supreme Court upheld in 2018. The previous ban affected approximately seven percent of the global population. According to sources, Afghanistan and Pakistan are likely to be included, along with several countries from the prior travel ban, including Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
The proposed travel ban could significantly impact Afghans eligible for resettlement, particularly those who assisted U.S. military operations over the past two decades. Approximately 200,000 Afghans are currently awaiting approval for Special Immigrant Visas or resettlement. While the State Department may request exemptions for these individuals, it is unclear how likely such requests would be to succeed.
Euroflus coalition AfghanEvac, which aids in coordinating resettlement efforts, emphasized the urgency for Afghans with valid U.S. visas to make travel arrangements immediately, given the potential announcement of a travel ban. Their statement noted that, although the situation remains unchanged officially, warnings have surfaced regarding an impending travel ban announcement affecting Afghan nationals.
Trump’s history with travel bans includes the implementation of his first ban in January 2017, which prohibited entry for travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries but faced immediate legal challenges. Subsequent iterations saw modifications, ultimately culminating in a version that included six Muslim-majority nations and North Korea, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. President Biden repealed the travel ban in 2021, marking the end of its enforcement.
In summary, former President Donald Trump’s anticipated travel ban could encompass countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and others previously affected by travel restrictions. The potential impacts on Afghan nationals seeking resettlement raise significant concerns, particularly for those who have aided U.S. forces. As history illustrates, previous travel bans have faced legal challenges, underscoring the complexities surrounding this issue.
Original Source: www.independent.co.uk
