The US may soon expand its travel ban to include Pakistan and Afghanistan as President Trump looks to revive the Muslim ban. A report on the issue is expected on March 12, with concerns raised about the impact on refugees and individuals pending resettlement in the US. The administration’s decision processes remain uncertain amidst discussions of enhanced vetting.
The United States may soon include Pakistan and Afghanistan in a travel ban as President Donald Trump revisits the so-called Muslim ban initiated during his first term. The White House is expected to receive a report on March 12, which will address visa approval processes and enhanced vetting for visitors. Shawn Vandiver, head of AfghanEvac, expressed the urgent anticipation of action from the administration regarding the potential travel restrictions.
Mr. Vandiver emphasized the hope that refugees might be exempt from the potential ban, albeit a final decision remains pending. Reports indicate that Afghanistan and Pakistan are likely to be designated as full suspension countries. Officials from Pakistan maintain optimism, noting the positive remarks by Mr. Trump regarding Islamabad’s recent assistance in apprehending a suspect involved in a deadly bombing at Kabul airport.
The executive order issued by Mr. Trump in January called for the identification of countries necessitating partial or full admissions suspension due to inadequate security and vetting processes. Although the Pakistan embassy in Washington has not commented on the matter, the State Department refrains from disclosing internal discussions. New sources suggest a travel ban could be implemented as early as next week, impacting thousands who have been approved for resettlement in the US.
The first iteration of the Muslim travel ban, enacted on Mr. Trump’s inauguration day in 2017, temporarily restricted entry for citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries, leading to significant disruption. The anticipated new travel restrictions could affect tens of thousands of Afghans eligible for resettlement due to their assistance to the US during its two-decade presence in Afghanistan. Notably, there are over 200,000 Afghans currently in limbo waiting for resettlement amidst ongoing bureaucratic delays, among them a significant population stranded in Pakistan.
In summary, the potential expansion of the US travel ban to include Afghanistan and Pakistan has generated considerable concern, particularly regarding the implications for refugees. While the Trump administration moves forward with discussions on enhanced vetting and security, the fate of thousands of individuals awaiting resettlement hangs in the balance. The situation reflects an ongoing tension between national security concerns and humanitarian obligations, especially in light of the complex history between the US and these countries.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
