WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new proclamation barring entry to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, including Afghanistan, citing national security concerns and deficiencies in identity verification systems.
The ban, announced Wednesday night, takes effect on Monday, June 9 at 12:01 a.m., and marks one of the most consequential immigration decisions of Trump’s current term in office. It revives and expands a travel policy that drew sharp criticism during his first presidency.
Afghanistan among fully banned countries
Afghanistan is one of the 12 countries whose nationals will face a full suspension of both immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States. This includes tourist visas, student visas, and most categories of temporary and permanent travel.
According to the proclamation, Afghanistan was included due to the Taliban’s control of the country, the absence of reliable passport and civil registration systems, and high rates of visa overstays by Afghan travelers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported that in 2023, 9.7 percent of Afghan business and tourist visa holders overstayed, along with 29.3 percent of student and exchange visa holders.
“Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures,” the order states.
Who is exempt from the ban?
According to AfghanEvac, despite the broad restrictions, several categories of Afghan nationals are exempt, including:
- Holders of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) who supported the U.S. military or government
- U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a country not subject to the ban
- Individuals granted entry based on U.S. national interest, on a case-by-case basis by the Secretary of State
According to the advocacy coalition AfghanEvac, SIV applications are still being processed, and current SIV holders are not impacted by the ban. However, the group emphasized that the ban will severely affect tens of thousands of Afghans who remain in third countries, are awaiting family reunification, or were in line for resettlement through programs like Enduring Welcome.
“This isn’t about national security,” AfghanEvac said in a statement. “It’s about scapegoating and surrendering our values. We don’t punish kids and parents for the passport they carry.”
Which visas are affected?
A breakdown of the visa types most relevant to Afghan nationals by AfghanEvac shows which categories are currently exempt and which are blocked under the travel ban:
| Visa Type | Description | Exempt? |
|---|---|---|
| IR-1 / CR-1 | Spouse of U.S. citizen | ✅ Yes |
| IR-2 / CR-2 | Child of U.S. citizen | ✅ Yes |
| IR-5 | Parent of U.S. citizen (21+) | ✅ Yes |
| F2A | Spouse/child of green card holder (LPR) | ❌ No |
| F2B | Unmarried adult child of LPR | ❌ No |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen | ❌ No |
| SIV | Special Immigrant Visa holders | ✅ Yes |
| P-1 / P-2 Refugees | Refugee pathways | ❌ No |
| Humanitarian Parole | Includes Enduring Welcome and other urgent pathways | ❌ No |
| DV Lottery | Diversity visa winners | ❌ No |
| Employment-based | H, L, O, and similar work visas | ❌ Likely No |
| F/M/J | Student, vocational, and exchange visitor visas | ❌ No |
Wider reaction and criticism
The policy has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers and international human rights organizations. Amnesty International USA called the move “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel.” Human Rights First described it as “yet another anti-immigrant and punitive action.”
President Trump, speaking in a video posted to his social platform, said the ban is necessary to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors,” especially after a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, allegedly carried out by a foreign national. While the attacker was identified as Egyptian, Egypt was not included in the list of banned countries.
In total, the ban affects nationals of the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, Myanmar, Haiti, Eritrea, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo.
Another seven countries — including Cuba, Venezuela, and Laos — face partial restrictions based on visa category.
Policy context and background
This marks the second major travel ban signed by President Trump. His 2017 order, widely known as the “Muslim Ban,” was challenged in court and revised several times before being upheld by the Supreme Court. President Biden later repealed it in 2021.
Trump’s new order does not include an expiration date. The proclamation will be reviewed periodically, and new countries may be added “as threats emerge around the world,” the president said.
Impact on Afghans
For many Afghans — particularly those left behind after the 2021 U.S. withdrawal — the policy change presents a major setback. Thousands who risked their lives to support American forces or who fled Taliban persecution now face another roadblock to safety.
“America made promises,” said an AfghanEvac organizer. “This policy breaks them — and we will keep fighting until it is reversed.”
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