US: Afghanistan may be included in Trump travel ban — Official

The United States government is reviewing all visa programs as part of a broader reassessment of immigration policies, with Afghanistan potentially being included in a new travel ban, a US official told CNN.

A spokesperson for the State Department confirmed that the department is “undertaking a full review of all visa programs” amid reports of an impending ban. 

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the ban could be announced as soon as next week but noted that final decisions on the timing and list of affected countries had yet to be made.

President Donald Trump’s executive order, issued on January 20, directs cabinet officials, including the Secretary of State, to identify countries “for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.” The review is set to be completed within 60 days.

A White House official dismissed speculation about the ban’s scope, stating, “No decisions regarding possible travel bans have been made, and anyone claiming otherwise does not know what they are talking about.”

If Afghanistan is included, the ban could severely impact Afghan nationals who worked alongside the US military and government during the two-decade war. 

Many of these individuals, particularly those holding Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), have already faced obstacles in relocating to the US due to prior executive orders that suspended refugee admissions and halted foreign aid funding for evacuation flights.

Concerns over the potential ban have prompted warnings from advocacy groups. AfghanEvac, a coalition dedicated to assisting Afghan allies, issued an urgent advisory on Wednesday, urging “all Afghan nationals holding valid U.S. visas to travel as soon as possible amid credible indications that a travel ban affecting Afghan nationals may be imminent.”

The International Refugee Admissions Project (IRAP) also condemned the prospect of a new ban, warning that many Afghans “have been waiting years for their visas to be processed and remain in extremely dangerous circumstances.” 

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The group stated, “A new travel ban would put their lives at risk by denying them the opportunity to reach safety. Even a temporary suspension will result in immediate and lasting harm for refugees and their families.”

“While we do not yet know the full scope of who could be impacted, reports indicate that Afghan refugees targeted by the Taliban, including Special Immigrant Visa holders and others who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, could all be subjected to this unlawful ban,” IRAP’s statement continued. “It is shameful that the Trump administration is abandoning America’s promise to protect Afghan allies and other forcibly displaced people around the world.”

Trump had previously implemented a travel ban during his first term, blocking entry from seven majority-Muslim countries, a policy that faced legal challenges before being overturned by former President Joe Biden in 2021. 

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