US set to impose complete travel ban on Pakistanis, Afghans
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Islamabad: The United States is expected to impose a complete travel ban on citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of a new set of restrictions being formulated by the Donald Trump administration. According to sources in the Pakistani establishment, the two countries are likely to be at the top of the list of nations facing stringent entry limitations, which could be enforced within the next 10 days.
The vetting and scrutiny process for both Pakistan and Afghanistan may reveal multiple deficiencies, leading to their inclusion in the list of nations subject to a total travel ban. If implemented, the decision would impact countless Pakistanis and Afghans seeking immigration, asylum, or relocation to the US.
"Afghanistan will be included in the list of recommended countries for a complete travel ban. Pakistan's name would also be recommended," a reliable source confirmed, adding that the move could significantly affect thousands of Afghans who were previously cleared for resettlement in the US under Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, urged Pakistanis with valid US visas to travel immediately before the ban is formally announced. The restrictions could have severe consequences for at least 20,000 Afghans currently stranded in Pakistan, who face deportation to Afghanistan despite being eligible for resettlement in the US. These individuals were granted SIVs in recognition of their service to US forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.
More than 200,000 Afghans are awaiting resettlement in the US following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. However, Trump’s administration has already implemented measures limiting their entry, including a 90-day freeze on refugee admissions and foreign aid funding their flights, which was announced on January 20.
Trump’s executive order also calls for new, intensive scrutiny measures for all foreign nationals seeking entry into the US, emphasizing the need to detect potential national security threats. If finalized, the ban would further tighten America’s immigration policies and restrict the movement of individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
With IANS inputs