US reviews visa programs, Afghanistan may face ban - CNN
Photo: Afghan citizens already face a number of issues (Getty Images)
The US State Department is undertaking a full review of all visa programs. Afghanistan may be among the countries affected by the ban, according to CNN.
According to an official familiar with the situation, the ban may be implemented as soon as next week. However, the official added that it remains unclear whether final decisions have been made regarding the countries and timelines.
In an executive order issued on January 20, US President Donald Trump instructed cabinet members, including the Secretary of State, to compile a list of countries where screening and vetting information is so insufficient that it warrants a partial or full suspension of citizens from those states. According to the order, this must be done within 60 days, meaning more than half of the period has already passed.
The report also notes that if Afghanistan is included in the new travel ban, it could affect tens of thousands of Afghans who have worked alongside the US during the two decades of war, as the decision would block Afghan citizens from coming to the United States.
Moreover, tens of thousands of Afghans are already in limbo due to other actions taken by the Trump administration, including the suspension of the refugee program in the US and the halt of funding for foreign aid for special immigrant visa flights from Afghanistan.
During his first term in 2020, Trump restricted entry to the US for citizens of six countries. These countries included Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Eritrea, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.
