RASC News Agency: Reuters, citing sources within the Trump administration, has reported that the U.S. government is preparing to implement sweeping travel restrictions on citizens from dozens of countries, including Afghanistan. According to a classified document reviewed by Reuters, a total of 41 nations have been categorized into three distinct groups, each facing varying degrees of restrictions. The first group includes ten countries Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea among them whose citizens will face a complete suspension of U.S. visa issuance, effectively barring entry into the United States. The second group consists of five nations Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan that will be subject to partial restrictions, primarily affecting tourist, student, and other immigration visas, with limited exceptions.
The document further specifies that the third group comprises 26 nations, including Belarus, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan. If their governments fail to address specified “security deficiencies” within 60 days, visa issuance for their citizens will also be suspended. A senior U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the list remains subject to change and has not yet received final approval from the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump had previously signed an executive order on January 20 mandating enhanced security screenings for all foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States.
During his first term, Trump imposed similar travel bans on several Muslim-majority nations. His latest initiative to bar Afghanistani citizens from entering the U.S. comes at a time when thousands of Afghanistani nationals who previously worked with American forces and institutions remain stranded, awaiting immigration visas. Following Trump’s return to office, the fate of these individuals has become increasingly uncertain.
