President Donald Trump is reportedly contemplating the implementation of a comprehensive travel ban that would bar individuals from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the United States, possibly commencing as early as next week. This prospective policy emerges from a recent evaluation of security and vetting protocols associated with these nations.

The proposed ban could have significant repercussions for tens of thousands of Afghans who have been approved for resettlement in the U.S. under refugee programs or Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). These individuals, many of whom assisted U.S. operations during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan, now face uncertainty regarding their relocation prospects.

In January, President Trump issued an executive order mandating a thorough review of foreign nationals seeking entry into the U.S., aiming to identify potential national security threats through enhanced vetting procedures. This directive tasked several government agencies with recommending countries for travel restrictions based on their screening inadequacies, with submissions due by March 21.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are anticipated to be among the nations subject to these full travel bans. The U.S. Departments of State, Justice, Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for overseeing this review, have yet to comment on the potential policy shift.

Notably, Afghans approved for resettlement undergo rigorous screening processes, often considered among the most stringent globally. Despite this, the State Department's office managing Afghan relocation efforts is seeking an exemption for SIV holders from the impending ban, though it remains uncertain whether this exemption will be granted.

This development is part of President Trump's broader immigration crackdown, initially announced in October 2023, which aims to restrict immigration from countries perceived as security threats, including Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.