Trump’s New Travel Ban May Block Afghans and Pakistanis, Sources Say

Key Takeaways

• New travel ban may bar individuals from Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 starting March 12, 2025, citing security concerns.
• Afghanistan 🇦🇫 risks a complete ban due to Taliban control; Pakistan 🇵🇰 scrutinized for militant challenges and security issues.
• Advocacy groups urge eligible Afghans to enter the U.S. immediately as bans could block even valid visa holders after March 12.

President Trump is preparing to implement a new travel ban that could bar individuals from Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 from entering the United States. Sources familiar with the matter suggest the ban may come into effect as early as March 12, 2025. This policy, which echoes previous travel restrictions imposed during Trump’s first term, is based on a government review identifying countries that allegedly pose security risks due to inadequate visa screening processes. While the exact list of affected nations remains undisclosed apart from these two, Afghanistan and Pakistan are reportedly top candidates for inclusion.

Background and Key Details

The groundwork for this potential ban was laid on January 20, 2025, when President Trump signed an executive order directing enhanced security vetting for foreign nationals. The order tasked the State Department, Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence with evaluating countries’ security protocols and submitting recommendations. Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 are believed to have made this list due to perceived gaps in their systems for sharing intelligence and screening individuals traveling to the United States.

Sources state that Afghanistan 🇦🇫 is likely to face a complete travel ban, citing the Taliban’s control since August 2021. The administration’s concern extends to individuals fleeing possible persecution under Taliban rule, particularly Afghan nationals who worked alongside U.S. forces over two decades of war. Pakistan 🇵🇰, on the other hand, is also under scrutiny for its challenges in combating militant activity and its security framework.

Previous travel bans introduced during Trump’s first term targeted several Muslim-majority nations, sparking significant domestic and international debate. His early measures drew sharp criticism for disproportionately affecting Muslim communities, while proponents argued they were essential for safeguarding national security. This upcoming policy, which once again appears to affect predominantly Muslim countries, may emerge as a similarly polarizing issue.

Impact on Afghan Nationals and Humanitarian Efforts

The possible inclusion of Afghanistan 🇦🇫 in the travel ban has sparked fears for tens of thousands of Afghans who were previously cleared to resettle in the U.S. under refugee or Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs. These groups are largely composed of individuals who supported U.S. military operations — as translators, guides, or in other critical roles — and who now face threats from the Taliban, which views them as collaborators with foreign forces.

Advocacy groups working on Afghan resettlement efforts have voiced alarm at the proposed ban. AfghanEvac, a nonprofit assisting evacuees from Afghanistan 🇦🇫, has called on Afghans with valid U.S. visas or travel documents to travel quickly and enter the country before the restrictions come into effect. The group’s director, Shawn VanDiver, warned that after March 12, even Afghans with completed visa documentation might be turned away.

The timing compounds challenges for Afghan migrants, who are facing mounting difficulties worldwide. Neighboring countries like Pakistan 🇵🇰 and Iran have intensified deportations of undocumented Afghan nationals. Pakistan 🇵🇰, which has historically hosted millions of Afghans, has recently stepped up such efforts, citing domestic economic challenges and security concerns. For countless Afghans seeking sanctuary, the proposed U.S. travel ban represents yet another closing door.

Implications for Pakistan 🇵🇰

For Pakistan 🇵🇰, the potential travel ban comes as the country struggles with its own wave of violence and economic instability. Recent weeks saw several suicide bombings targeting Pakistan’s military forces, amplifying fears of Islamist militant resurgence. At the same time, Pakistan continues to deport Afghan migrants from its borders while facing international scrutiny of its broader security policies.

Notably, this development coincides with President Trump’s recent public acknowledgment of Pakistan’s help in extraditing Mohammad Sharifullah. The latter is accused of planning the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan 🇦🇫. This apparent cooperation underscores how intertwined U.S.-Pakistan ties remain in combating shared security threats despite the potential ban on Pakistani nationals. While no official statement has been made about how this travel restriction aligns with broader foreign relations, analysts view it as an indicator of how security fears are once again reshaping U.S. immigration priorities.

The travel ban’s potential inclusion of Pakistan 🇵🇰 mirrors the emphasis on security within Trump’s executive order. Critics, however, point out that such broad measures risk alienating Pakistan 🇵🇰, a key partner in counterterrorism efforts, just as both nations face increased instability along the Afghan-Pakistani border.

Legal and Domestic Response

Domestically, Trump’s renewed push for travel bans marks a return to his first-term immigration agenda. His initial restrictions famously faced numerous legal challenges, with opponents claiming they unfairly targeted Muslim-majority countries and violated constitutional rights. It is likely that this new policy, should it proceed, will again spark court battles and strong criticism.

On the international stage, the travel ban could complicate relationships not only with Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 but also with allies who have criticized similar measures in the past. Former President Biden reversed Trump’s initial travel bans in 2021, calling them “a stain on our national conscience.” The reinstatement of these types of restrictions signals a stark turn in U.S. immigration and foreign policy. While the administration frames such measures as necessary for national security, humanitarian advocacy networks view them as punitive and, in some cases, counterproductive.

Broader Context and Concerns

The proposed travel ban, if implemented, reflects ongoing security concerns in both Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰. Afghanistan continues to grapple with Taliban rule, while the regime clashes against insurgents from the regional branch of the Islamic State. Ordinary Afghans still endure uncertainty as international aid dwindles and pathways for asylum narrow.

In Pakistan 🇵🇰, violence by Islamist groups echoes the turmoil of previous decades. Suicide bombings, heightened insecurity, and economic hardships have destabilized daily life in the country. These developments add layers to the U.S. administration’s calculus as it evaluates the risks of unrestricted travel from these regions.

From families hoping to reunite in the United States to students enrolled in higher education programs, the ban would affect hundreds, if not thousands, of lives across the globe. Refugee resettlement organizations and legal experts warn that individuals at risk will face further harm as safe havens shrink. If the ban goes beyond Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 to include additional nations, its impact could expand further.

Looking Forward

As March 12 approaches, attention is focused on whether the new travel ban will indeed be finalized. Advocacy groups are working overtime to help affected individuals navigate new obstacles. Meanwhile, diplomatic channels closely follow how Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 will respond to what could be perceived as challenging U.S. measures.

Critics argue that such sweeping restrictions undermine America’s global leadership in providing safe haven to those fleeing persecution. Proponents maintain that they are essential to prioritize national security, particularly as ongoing crises across South Asia ripple outward. Legal challenges, if any arise, may slow or halt the plan’s rollout. What remains certain is the high stakes attached to this decision and its potential long-term influence on U.S. immigration policy.

You can monitor updates regarding new travel restrictions and immigration law changes through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official site at USCIS.gov. Meanwhile, organizations like VisaVerge.com continue to provide analysis and resources to those affected by shifting immigration policies.

In summary, President Trump’s renewed travel ban strategy signals a major shift in immigration policy, prioritizing security over humanitarian concerns. Whether this approach will stand legal, public, or diplomatic scrutiny remains to be seen. For impacted individuals and their families, the stakes have never been higher.

Learn Today

Travel Ban → A government-imposed restriction that prevents individuals from specific countries from entering a particular nation.
Visa Screening Processes → Procedures used to evaluate applicants’ backgrounds, including security checks, before granting travel authorization or entry permits.
Executive Order → A formal directive issued by the U.S. President with the force of law, often outlining government policy.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) → A visa program for individuals who worked with the U.S. government, providing resettlement opportunities to those facing danger.
Humanitarian Advocacy Networks → Groups or organizations that promote and defend the rights and well-being of vulnerable or displaced populations worldwide.

This Article in a Nutshell

President Trump plans a new travel ban targeting Afghanistan 🇦🇫 and Pakistan 🇵🇰 over security concerns. Effective March 12, 2025, the ban threatens Afghan refugees, including allies of U.S. forces, and risks straining ties with Pakistan. Critics argue it’s discriminatory; supporters call it protective. Expect legal challenges and humanitarian fallout.
— By VisaVerge.com

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