Pakistan Risks US Travel Ban if Deficiencies Not Fixed in 60 Days
The administration of former US President Donald Trump is considering imposing broad travel restrictions on citizens from multiple countries, including Pakistan, as part of a new visa ban policy. According to sources and an internal memo seen by Reuters, Pakistan is among a group of nations that could face a partial suspension of visa issuance if their governments fail to address specific deficiencies within 60 days.
The memo categorizes 41 countries into three groups. The first group, which includes Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea, is set for a full visa suspension.
The second group, consisting of Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, would face partial suspensions affecting tourist, student, and immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
The third group, which includes Pakistan, Belarus, and Turkmenistan, is under consideration for a partial visa suspension if necessary corrective measures are not taken within the stipulated 60-day period.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the list is subject to change and has not yet been approved by the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The New York Times first reported the list of affected countries, drawing comparisons to Trump’s 2017 travel ban on seven Muslim-majority nations. That policy underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018.
Trump recently signed an executive order on January 20, mandating stricter security vetting for foreigners entering the US to identify potential national security threats. The order instructs several cabinet members to submit a list of countries by March 21 for potential travel restrictions based on inadequate vetting and screening procedures.
This directive is part of a broader immigration crackdown launched by Trump at the start of his second term. In an October 2023 speech, he hinted at restricting entry from regions like Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and any other areas deemed a security risk.
The US State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment from Reuters.
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