New Trump Travel Ban Could Bar Afghans, Pakistanis Soon
A new travel ban by President Donald Trump could bar people from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the U.S. as soon as next week based on a government review of countries' security and vetting risks. The move harkens back to the Republican president's first term ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Afghans cleared for resettlement in the U.S. as refugees or on Special Immigrant Visas could be significantly impacted by this new ban.
- The potential inclusion of Afghanistan and Pakistan in the travel ban highlights the complexities of security vetting and the need for nuanced policies that balance national security concerns with humanitarian needs.
- How will the effects of this new travel ban on the resettlement process of Afghans, who have been cleared for admission to the U.S., be felt in the coming months, particularly given the already strained refugee system?