The United States government is reviewing all visa programs as part of a broader reevaluation of immigration policies, and Afghanistan potentially includes a new travel ban, said a United States official to CNN.
A spokesman for the State Department confirmed that the department is “making a complete review of all visa programs” amid reports of an imminent prohibition.
The official, who spoke on anonymity condition, said the ban could be announced as soon as next week, but pointed out that the final decisions about the moment and the list of affected countries had not yet been taken.
The executive order of President Donald Trump, issued on January 20, addresses Cabinet officials, including the Secretary of State, to identify countries “for which the investigation and detection information is so deficient that it guarantees a partial or complete suspension in the admission of nationals of those countries.” The review will be completed within 60 days.
A White House official dismissed speculation about the scope of the ban, stating: “Decisions have not been made regarding possible travel prohibitions, and anyone who says otherwise does not know what they are talking about.”
If Afghanistan is included, the ban could severely affect the Afghan citizens who worked together with the United States army and government during the two decades war.
Many of these individuals, particularly those who have special immigrants visas (SIV), have already faced obstacles to move to the US.
Concerns about potential prohibition have caused warnings of defense groups. Afghanevac, a coalition dedicated to helping Afghan allies, issued an urgent notice on Wednesday, urging “all Afghan citizens who have valid visas from the United States to travel as soon as possible in the midst of credible indications that a prohibition of travel that affects Afghan citizens can be imminent.”
The International Refugee Admission Project (Irap) also condemned the perspective of a new prohibition, warning that many Afghans “have been waiting for years to make their visas processed and remain in extremely dangerous circumstances.”
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The group declared: “A new prohibition of travel would put their lives at risk by denying them the opportunity to achieve security. Even a temporary suspension will result in immediate and lasting damage to refugees and their families. “
“While we still do not know the complete scope of who could be affected, the reports indicate that the Afghan refugees attacked by the Taliban, including the holders of visas of special immigrants and others who supported the US mission in Afghanistan, could be submitted to this illegal prohibition,” the Irap declaration continued. “It is shameful that the Trump administration is abandoning the United States promise to protect Afghan allies and other people displaced by force worldwide.”
Trump had previously implemented a prohibition of traveling during his first term, blocking the entry of seven majority Muslim countries, a policy that faced legal challenges before being revoked by former President Joe Biden in 2021.
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