Trump's New Afghanistan, Pakistan Travel Ban

President Donald Trump is planning a new travel ban that could prevent people from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the United States as early as next week. This move is based on a government review of countries' security and vetting risks, with Afghanistan and Pakistan expected to be on the list for a complete travel suspension. The ban is part of Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown and echoes a similar policy from his first term, which was later repealed by Joe Biden. The new restrictions could significantly affect tens of thousands of Afghans, including those with Special Immigrant Visas, who are seeking resettlement in the United States due to the risk of Taliban retribution. The United States — United States Department of State is seeking an exemption for these visa holders, but approval is uncertain. Shawn VanDiver of AfghanEvac has urged Afghan visa holders to travel to the United States immediately if possible, as approximately 200,000 Afghans are awaiting resettlement or have pending applications, with many stranded in Afghanistan and Pakistan.