President Trump's travel ban, which affects citizens from a dozen countries including Afghanistan, does allow exceptions for Afghans who served with U.S. forces. Since the withdrawal in August 2021, around 200,000 Afghans have settled in the U.S., primarily through Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Despite this, over 200,000 Afghans remain outside the U.S. awaiting various applications. The travel ban is justified under terrorism concerns, particularly with the Taliban's current control of Afghanistan, while refugee resettlement efforts have largely been paused since. Many fear for their safety under the Taliban's rule.
Trump cited the need to address the threat of terrorism as the catalyst for the travel ban, with the White House noting specifically about Afghanistan: "The Taliban... controls Afghanistan."
Many Afghans seeking SIVs and refugee status say they fear for their safety under Taliban rule in the country.
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