Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bhutan are among 41 countries that could face a travel ban to the United States as the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to curb illegal immigration, according to a draft obtained by Reuters. Officials have indicated that these restrictions may be more expansive than the travel bans implemented during Trump’s first term, which targeted travelers from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
The draft recommendations by security officials include Pakistan in a group of 26 countries that could face partial suspensions of U.S. visa issuance if the government led by Shehbaz Sharif does not address “deficiencies within 60 days.” Other countries in this group include Turkmenistan, Belarus, Bhutan, and Vanuatu, which recently drew attention when fugitive former IPL chairperson Lalit Modi claimed to have acquired citizenship there.
Earlier this week, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry dismissed reports of a potential travel ban as “speculative.” Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan emphasized that Pakistan has not received any official notice of such restrictions. “As of now, this is all speculative and does not warrant a response,” Khan said.
This development comes just days after Pakistani Ambassador to Turkmenistan KK Ahsan Wagan was denied entry to the U.S. and deported from Los Angeles. While the U.S. has not provided specific reasons for the deportation, reports suggest Wagan was removed due to “controversial visa references” flagged by the U.S. immigration system.
According to the draft, 10 countries are on a “red list” and would face a complete suspension of U.S. visas. These countries include Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
A second group of five countries—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—would see restrictions on tourist, student, and other immigrant visas, though with some exceptions.
On his first day in office, January 20, Trump signed an executive order mandating extensive vetting of foreign nationals seeking entry into the U.S. to identify potential security threats.
