New Delhi: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan are among 41 nations that may soon encounter travel restrictions to the United States as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to combat illegal immigration, according to a draft document obtained by Reuters. Officials indicated that these new restrictions would be more extensive than those enacted during Trump’s first term, which included a travel ban affecting seven predominantly Muslim countries.
The draft recommendations from security officials categorize Pakistan alongside 26 other countries that could experience a partial suspension of US visa issuance if the government led by Shehbaz Sharif does not take steps to rectify identified “deficiencies” within a 60-day timeframe.
This group also includes Turkmenistan, Belarus, Bhutan, and Vanuatu, the latter of which recently attracted attention when fugitive former IPL chairperson Lalit Modi claimed to have obtained citizenship there.
Earlier this week, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry characterized the reports of a travel ban as “speculative.” Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan emphasized that Pakistan has not received any formal notification regarding such restrictions.
“At this moment, these claims are purely speculative and do not require a response,” Khan stated.
The latest tension between the US and Pakistan arose shortly after Pakistani ambassador to Turkmenistan KK Ahsan Wagan was denied entry into the United States and subsequently deported from Los Angeles. Although the US has not provided a specific explanation, reports suggest that Wagan’s deportation was due to “controversial visa references” detected by the US immigration system.
According to the draft, ten countries have been designated on a “red list,” which would result in a complete visa suspension for their citizens. These countries include Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
The proposed restrictions for a second group of five countries—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—would affect tourist and student visas, as well as other immigrant visas, with certain exceptions.
On his inaugural day in office, January 20, Trump enacted an executive order mandating thorough vetting of all foreign nationals applying for entry into the United States to identify potential security risks.
