WASHINGTON— The US State Department is “undertaking a full review of all visa programs”, CNN reported on Saturday, quoting a department spokesperson, amid reports of an impending new travel ban that could include Afghanistan.
According to the report, a US official familiar with the discussions said that Afghanistan could be among the countries affected, adding that the ban could be implemented as early as next week. However, the official noted that final decisions on the countries and timeline have not yet been made.
The CNN report cites an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on January 20, directing cabinet officials—including the Secretary of State—to compile a list of countries with deficient vetting and screening procedures that could warrant partial or full suspension of visa admissions. The order calls for a decision within 60 days.
“The department is undertaking a full review of all visa programs as directed under this EO and executing on administration priorities,” a State Department spokesperson said as quoted by CNN. The official declined to provide further details, saying the department does “not comment on internal deliberations or communications.”
A White House official, also speaking to CNN, pushed back on speculation, stating: “No decisions regarding possible travel bans have been made, and anyone claiming otherwise does not know what they are talking about.”
If Afghanistan is included in the new restrictions, tens of thousands of Afghans who worked alongside US forces over the past two decades could be barred from entering the country.
Tens of thousands of Afghans have already been caught in limbo due to previous Trump administration executive orders suspending the US refugee admissions program and halting funding for flights of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders.
The CNN report also cites a warning from AfghanEvac, a coalition assisting at-risk Afghans, urging visa-holding Afghan nationals to travel to the US immediately amid “credible indications that a travel ban affecting Afghan nationals may be imminent.”
“While no official announcement has been made, multiple sources within the US government suggest that a new travel restriction could be implemented within the next week,” the group said in a statement.
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) also voiced concern over reports of a new travel ban, telling CNN that many of its clients “have been waiting years for their visas to be processed and remain in extremely dangerous circumstances.”
“A new travel ban would put their lives at risk by denying them the opportunity to reach safety. Even a temporary suspension will result in immediate and lasting harm for refugees and their families,” IRAP stated.
Pakistan’s new deadline
As the US State Department reviews visa policies and considers new travel restrictions on Afghan nationals, Pakistan has announced a new ultimatum for Afghan migrants to leave the country voluntarily within the next 24 days—or face forced deportation beginning April 1.
In a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, authorities have ordered all Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders and undocumented Afghan nationals to leave Pakistan by March 31, 2025. The statement warns that from April 1, authorities will begin a second phase of forced deportations of Afghan refugees across the country.
“Holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) must leave Pakistan by March 31, 2025. All undocumented foreign nationals and ACC holders are advised to exit voluntarily before this deadline. The deportation process will commence on April 1, 2025,” the statement read.
Pakistan’s first phase of mass deportations began in November 2023, targeting undocumented Afghan refugees. Reports suggest that more than 800,000 Afghans with ACC cards currently reside in Pakistan, and many now face imminent expulsion.
Tahir Khan, a journalist covering the deportations, described the announcement as a serious warning to Afghan refugees.
“Pakistan’s latest directive signals the beginning of a second wave of forced deportations. This move will have severe consequences for Afghan refugees and Afghanistan itself,” Khan told reporters.
Rights activists have also raised concerns over the humanitarian impact of the expulsions.
“Forcibly deporting Afghan refugees puts thousands of lives at risk, as many will face serious security threats upon return,” said Seema Nouri, a human rights advocate.
Afghan refugees and human rights organizations have denounced Pakistan’s deportation policy as unjust and a violation of international human rights laws.
“This decision endangers thousands of lives and contradicts fundamental human rights protections,” said Rahil Talash, a human rights activist.
Meanwhile, reports from Islamabad and Rawalpindi indicate that Pakistani police have intensified raids on Afghan communities, with migrants being arrested and sent to deportation centers.
“Unfortunately, police have escalated arrests of Afghan nationals. Just today, several families were detained and transferred to Haji Camp,” said Ahmad Khalid, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan.
The increasing pressure on Afghan migrants, combined with the US administration’s possible travel ban, has left thousands of Afghan families fearing an uncertain future, particularly those who fled Taliban repression, economic hardship, and lack of education and employment opportunities in Afghanistan.
