US travel ban looms if Pakistan doesn’t address ‘deficiencies’

Author: Agencies

Donald Trump’s administration in Washington is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban and Pakistan has been placed in a group that would be considered for a partial suspension of visa issuance if their governments “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days”, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo seen by Reuters.

The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups.

Full visa suspension: Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

Partial visa suspension (tourist, student and some other visas affected): Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan.

Countries recommended for a partial suspension if they do not address deficiencies within 60 days: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Turkmenistan and Vanuatu.

A US official speaking on the condition of anonymity cautioned there could be changes on the list and that it was yet to be approved by the administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The New York Times first reported on the list of countries.

The move harkens back to President Donald Trump’s first term ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect national security threats.

That order directed several cabinet members to submit by March 21 a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their “vetting and screening information is so deficient”.

Trump’s directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term.

He previewed his plan in an October 2023 speech, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and “anywhere else that threatens our security.”

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters.

Share
Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • Pakistan

Sindh High court approves blind lawyer’s appointment as judicial magistrate

The Sindh High Court’s constitutional bench has ordered the appointment of a blind lawyer as…

4 hours ago
  • Sports

Unstoppable: Imane Khelif targets second olympic gold in 2028

Paris Olympics boxing champion Imane Khelif is determined to defend her title at the 2028…

4 hours ago
  • Pakistan

Hassan Nawaz faces £5.2M penalty as UK declares him tax defaulter

British authorities have officially declared Hassan Nawaz, son of PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, a tax…

5 hours ago
  • World

Funeral home director accused of neglecting body in Pennsylvania

A funeral home director in Pennsylvania faces criminal charges for allegedly allowing a deceased woman's…

5 hours ago
  • Sports

Shan Masood joins Leicestershire: A star signing for 2025 county season

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has signed an all-format contract with Leicestershire for the 2025…

5 hours ago
  • Pakistan

FIA arrests four for bribery at Faisalabad airport

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has arrested three customs officials and an accomplice for allegedly…

5 hours ago