The US is considering a travel ban on Pakistan and Afghanistan, reviving the Muslim ban. The White House will receive a report on March 12. Concerns arise over the impact on refugees, especially Afghans approved for resettlement amid threats from the Taliban. Hope persists in Pakistan for exclusion from the ban due to recent US support for Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism.
The United States may soon implement a travel ban affecting individuals from Pakistan and Afghanistan as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to revise and potentially expand the original Muslim ban initiated during his first term. The White House expects to receive a report on this development on March 12, following Mr. Trump’s recent directive for enhanced visa vetting for prospective visitors to the United States.
Shawn Vandiver, of the AfghanEvac coalition, expressed concerns about the forthcoming ban, voicing hopes that refugees would be exempt. Nonetheless, he indicated that no definitive decisions had been made. Reports suggest that both Pakistan and Afghanistan are candidates for this full suspension of entry into the United States.
Despite the looming threat of this ban, sources indicate that Pakistani officials remain hopeful for their country’s exclusion based on recent US commendations regarding Pakistan’s assistance in apprehending a suspect related to a significant bombing that occurred in Kabul in 2021. President Trump notably acknowledged the efforts of the Pakistani government in his recent address to Congress, which may play a role in influencing the ban’s scope.
Mr. Trump’s executive order stressed the identification of nations with insufficient vetting processes, calling for either partial or complete suspensions of entry for nationals from those regions. A recent analysis suggests that the impending travel ban could, in fact, be broader than previously enacted during Mr. Trump’s inaugural term.
Historically, the first iteration of the travel ban implemented in 2017 caused extensive disruption for travelers, leading to a number of legal challenges. If enacted, the new ban could significantly impact tens of thousands of Afghans cleared for US resettlement or pending Special Immigrant Visa applications, many of whom are at risk of reprisal from the Taliban for their collaboration with US forces.
As of 2021, it was estimated that there were approximately 629,946 US residents of Pakistani descent, with more recent numbers suggesting over one million. Additionally, over 10,000 Pakistani students are currently enrolled in higher education institutions in the US, while around 200,000 Afghans are either approved for resettlement or awaiting visa processing, many of whom are currently stranded outside Afghanistan, including about 20,000 in Pakistan.
In summary, the potential inclusion of Pakistan and Afghanistan in a revised travel ban poses significant challenges for nationals from these countries seeking entry into the United States. Concerns voiced by coalition leaders highlight the urgency of this situation, particularly regarding the safety of refugees. As the administration reviews these nations’ security assessments, the implications for individuals seeking resettlement from Afghanistan remain critical.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
