The United States is reportedly set to enforce a travel ban on citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan, potentially barring their entry into the country under new restrictions issued by President Donald Trump.
According to three sources cited by Reuters on Thursday (6 March), the ban may be implemented as early as next week, following a security risk assessment and vetting process.
The report further indicates that additional countries may be included in the ban, though their names remain undisclosed.
Trump had previously imposed travel restrictions on seven Muslim-majority nations during his first term, a move that faced legal challenges before receiving approval from the US Supreme Court in 2018.
Upon assuming office in 2021, Joe Biden revoked the ban, denouncing it as a “stain on the nation’s conscience.”
However, with Trump’s resurgence, the policy appears to be making a return, raising significant concerns—particularly for millions of Afghans awaiting resettlement in the US under refugee and special immigrant visa programmes.
Since taking office on 20 January, Trump has issued an executive order mandating rigorous background checks for individuals seeking entry into the US. Justifying the measure, he asserts that it is crucial for safeguarding national security.
