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ISLAMABAD: The United States is poised to dramatically broaden itscontroversial travel ban, potentially encompassing more than 30 countries,as announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. In a pointedinterview on Fox News, Noem underscored the administration’s resolve tofortify national borders against perceived threats from nations lackingstable governance. This escalation comes in the wake of a tragic shootingincident near the White House on November 26, which claimed the life of oneNational Guard member and injured another, perpetrated by an Afghannational who had been granted asylum.
The suspect, identified as a 29-year-old Afghan who entered the US in 2021amid the tumultuous withdrawal from Afghanistan, had previouslycollaborated with American entities, including the Central IntelligenceAgency. This revelation has reignited fierce debates over immigrationvetting processes, prompting President Donald Trump to threaten a permanentsuspension of migration from what he termed “third world countries” justdays after the attack. Noem, echoing the president’s stance, advocated fora comprehensive ban on entries from countries she described as unable to”sustain itself” or assist in screening potential entrants, labelling themsources of “killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
Building on a June executive order that already restricted travel from 19countries due to deficiencies in visa compliance and deportationcooperation, the proposed expansion signals a hardening of the Trumpadministration’s immigration policy. Internal assessments, as reported byReuters, suggest considerations for adding up to 36 more nations, thoughspecifics remain under presidential review to avoid diplomaticentanglements. Critics, including human rights advocates, decry the move asdiscriminatory, arguing it unfairly stigmatises entire populations whilefailing to address domestic security lapses.
The policy shift has immediate repercussions, with a temporary freeze onnew Afghan visas and asylum adjudications. This mirrors broader halts onimmigration applications from the existing banned list, exacerbatingbacklogs and uncertainty for thousands awaiting relocation. In Pakistan,where remittances from the US form a vital economic artery, the news hassparked apprehension among expatriate communities and policymakers.Islamabad, already navigating strained ties with Washington overcounter-terrorism, fears collateral impacts on bilateral exchanges,particularly in education and trade visas.
Internationally, the announcement has drawn sharp rebukes from affectedregions, with the United Nations urging a balanced approach that upholdshumanitarian obligations. European allies, grappling with their ownmigration pressures, watch warily, mindful of potential ripple effects ontransatlantic mobility. As Trump continues evaluations, the travel ban’sevolution underscores a pivotal moment in global migration discourse, wheresecurity imperatives clash with principles of openness and equity.
For Pakistan, the unfolding US policy reinforces the imperative for robustdiplomatic engagement to safeguard mutual interests. With over a millionPakistani-Americans contributing significantly to bilateral relations, anyblanket restrictions could strain longstanding partnerships forged in thewar on terror. As details emerge, the international community anticipateswhether this expansion will prioritise evidence-based reforms or veer intobroader geopolitical posturing.
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Source:https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/kristi-noem-travel-ban
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-expanding-list-countries-travel-ban-more-than-30-noem-says
Tags: United States, Pakistan, Trump Administration, Afghanistan
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