Latest news with #SIVs
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Donald Trump's new travel ban revives controversial policy, blocks entry from 12 nations including Afghanistan & Iran
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the return of a major policy from his earlier term, introducing a new travel ban that will go into effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 AM EDT. The revised ban restricts entry into the United States for citizens from 12 countries and imposes partial restrictions on travelers from 7 other nations. Most of the affected countries are predominantly Muslim. In a video, Trump linked the ban to the recent Boulder, Colorado attack, citing it as an example of threats posed by visa overstays. The attacker in that incident was from Egypt, which is not on the list. Trump justified the move, saying some countries have 'deficient' screening and vetting systems and fail to repatriate citizens. Full list of affected countries The 12 countries now banned from U.S. entry include: Afghanistan, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The 7 countries under restricted travel include: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The order excludes certain categories such as: Green card holders, dual nationals using passports from non-restricted countries, diplomats with valid non-immigrant visas, athletes and relatives attending international sports events, holders of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) from Afghanistan or U.S. government employees and adoption-related and family-based visa holders. Donald Trump reinstates a travel ban covering 12 countries | Credit: X Justification and legal basis The new ban builds upon an executive order signed on January 20, directing federal agencies to assess risks posed by countries with 'hostile attitudes' and high visa overstay rates. Trump's statement said Afghanistan lacked a 'competent or cooperative central authority' to issue reliable documents, and similar reasons were cited for other countries. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a version of the original travel ban in 2018, and this updated order attempts to avoid the legal and logistical confusion that marked its 2017 rollout by providing advanced notice. Responses and reactions Critics of the ban, including Oxfam America, have condemned the move. Abby Maxman, its president, called the policy one of 'division,' arguing it targets communities seeking safety and opportunity. Others voiced concern over the inclusion of countries like Afghanistan, whose citizens had previously supported U.S. forces. Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, said including Afghanistan was 'a moral disgrace' and an insult to veterans and allies. Trump countered that the decision was based on practical concerns about identification and documentation processes. Past vs present The original travel ban from Trump's first term affected countries such as Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, and was widely referred to as a 'Muslim ban'. Trump has consistently defended these actions on national security grounds, while critics have pointed to his earlier statements during the 2016 campaign calling for a complete ban on Muslims entering the U.S. This time, the list includes countries that were not part of the previous bans, such as Haiti and Myanmar, both now cited for overstay rates and unstable domestic governance.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
5 exemptions from Trump's 12-country travel ban
The US has clarified that the exemptions to Trump's 12-country travel ban are intended to provide flexibility for individuals who may face hardship or discrimination under the sweeping policy read more In the wake of President Donald Trump's controversial travel ban on citizens from twelve countries, the White House has clarified certain exemptions to the restrictions. While citizens from countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia face a complete or partial travel ban, the administration has outlined five key exceptions for specific groups. Here's what you need to know: Athletes travelling for major sporting events One of the more notable exemptions is for athletes who are travelling to the United States for major international sporting events, including the World Cup, the Olympics, and other high-profile competitions. This allows athletes from the 12 affected countries to participate in events such as the Summer or Winter Olympics, even if their home countries are under the travel ban. The administration has stated that this exception aims to promote global sportsmanship and fairness, ensuring athletes are not penalised for their nationalities when competing on the world stage. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Immigrant visa holders from ethnic and religious minorities in Iran Another exception applies to individuals holding immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran. This includes those who are part of groups such as the Baha'i community, religious minorities, or ethnic minorities who have been specifically targeted for violence or oppression by the Iranian government. The move has been seen as a gesture of support for persecuted populations, with the Trump administration emphasizing its commitment to human rights and its belief in offering refuge to those in need, particularly when they are fleeing religious or ethnic violence. Afghan nationals holding Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) Afghan nationals who have worked alongside US military and diplomatic personnel in Afghanistan are exempt from the travel ban, as long as they hold Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). This exemption is designed to protect individuals who have put their lives at risk in support of US interests during the conflict in Afghanistan. The exemption is part of the US's continued effort to honor its commitment to the safety and security of those who assisted American forces during the war, ensuring they can escape potential retaliation after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan. Lawful permanent residents of the US Citizens who are lawful permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States are also exempt from the travel ban. This includes individuals who have already established their residence in the US and are returning from trips abroad. The White House has assured that this exemption will allow permanent residents to continue living their lives without unnecessary disruption, though their re-entry into the country may still require additional security screening depending on their travel history. Dual nationals from non-banned countries Finally, dual nationals who hold citizenship in one of the countries included in the travel ban as well as a country not affected by the restrictions, will be allowed to travel to the US under their non-banned nationality. This provision ensures that individuals with multiple citizenships aren't unfairly targeted due to their country of origin. For example, a dual national who is both a citizen of Somalia and a citizen of a European Union country would be exempt from the ban as long as they travel on their EU passport. Why this Trump order became controversial While these exemptions have provided some relief to affected individuals, the travel ban continues to face significant criticism from human rights groups and international observers. Critics argue that the policy is discriminatory and fails to address the root causes of security concerns, while others contend that it unfairly targets specific nationalities without clear evidence of security threats. However, the Trump administration insists that the ban is a necessary step to safeguard national security and ensure that individuals coming into the US undergo proper vetting. The US has clarified that the exemptions to Trump's 12-country travel ban are intended to provide flexibility for individuals who may face hardship or discrimination under the sweeping policy. As the debate continues over the fairness and efficacy of the travel ban, these exceptions serve as a reminder that immigration policies often involve complex and sometimes contradictory considerations, balancing national security with international commitments and human rights. For now, those impacted by the ban face a complex problem. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Looming Trump travel ban strikes fear in Afghans who worked with U.S. military
Expectations that President Donald Trump will soon bar Afghans and Pakistanis from entering the United States has set off panic among Afghans who were promised visas for their work with the U.S. military, according to three refugee advocates. The Trump administration is preparing a new travel ban that will prohibit citizens of multiple countries from traveling to the United States based on concerns related to security and vetting, according to the advocates, who said they were informed directly by government officials. Afghanistan and Pakistan will likely be part of that blacklist, and the travel ban could be announced as soon as next week, they said. Reuters first reported on the proposed travel ban. In his first term in office, Trump imposed similar travel bans that blacklisted Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. A State Department spokesperson said Friday that the agency is undertaking a full review of all visa programs but did not offer any details on the countries under consideration. 'The visa adjudication process must ensure that U.S.-bound foreign travelers do not pose a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States,' the spokesperson added. Refugee advocate groups have appealed to the administration to make an exception for tens of thousands of Afghans who have received or who are due to receive special immigrant visas (SIVs) for their work for the U.S. military or American embassy during the 20-year U.S. war in Afghanistan. But with no guarantee that the White House will carve out an exception for the Afghans who worked as interpreters or in other jobs, nonprofit organizations are racing to help the Afghans fly to the United States before a ban takes effect. Thousands of Afghans who are in Pakistan, Qatar and Albania and who have SIV paperwork are scrambling to get final approvals and arrange flights to the U.S. with the help of refugee aid organizations, advocates said. 'The news of a possible travel ban imposed on Afghans has created utter panic within the SIV community,' according to Kim Staffieri, co-founder and executive director of the Association of Wartime Allies, a nonprofit that helps Afghans resettle in the United States. The frenetic atmosphere is reminiscent of the chaos that marked the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 under the Biden administration, when Taliban militants quickly routed Afghan government troops and seized control of the capital, Staffieri and other advocates said. 'In many ways, their despair and expressions of hopelessness are worse now than what we heard in August of 2021 during the chaotic NEO (noncombatant evacuation operations),' Staffieri said. "They, as well as civil society advocates, are stunned that we are going through this all over again," she said, adding: "Our promises to our wartime allies once again stand in question." A nonprofit that helps Afghans who worked for the U.S. government, AfghanEvac, issued an urgent alert Wednesday advising all Afghan citizens holding valid U.S. visas to 'travel as soon as possible' to the United States, citing 'credible indications' of an imminent travel ban on Afghan nationals. Shawn VanDiver, the head of AfghanEvac, said he hoped the president and his aides would carve out an exception for Afghan partners, especially given how much the Trump campaign criticized the Biden White House for its handling of the U.S. pullout of Afghanistan in 2021. 'The Trump folks had a lot to say about the Biden administration leaving people (Afghans) behind, and they were,' VanDiver said. 'And now they're not lifting a finger to help our wartime allies, at least what we can see.' Last month, NBC News reported that the Trump administration told the office overseeing the resettlement of Afghans to the United States to draw up plans to possibly shut down by April. The move could strand more than 250,000 Afghans and their families who face persecution from the Taliban for their ties to America. In an executive order issued on Inauguration Day, Trump ordered the State Department to start identifying countries 'for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries.' The president gave the State Department, along with other federal agencies, 60 days to submit a report on the requested list of countries. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Afghans Who Helped US War Effort Snarled by Foreign Aid Freeze
The visa program specifically for Afghans who worked for the U.S. military during America's longest war has been thrown into chaos by the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid, advocates are warning. While applications for the program, known as the Special Immigrant Visa, or SIV, program, are still being processed, support services provided by resettlement agencies that receive State Department funding, including flights to the U.S., have been halted by the aid freeze -- all but killing SIV holders' ability to travel and escape the Taliban-controlled country. "It's clearly a concern, and it sends a message that we're not going to keep our promises and we're not going to stand by our allies. And that's a problem because our allies and partners are the most important aspect of our national security," Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and one of the Senate's leading proponents of the SIV program, told on Wednesday. Read Next: VA Says 44 Programs Will Continue After Review Required by Trump Federal Funding Freeze The crippling of the SIV program is on top of a freeze in refugee admissions ordered by President Donald Trump on his first day in office that has stranded thousands of Afghans who helped the U.S. war effort but are not eligible for SIVs. The refugee executive order did not apply to the SIV program, but advocates had already feared SIVs would be targeted next. Those fears appeared to come to fruition late last week when the State Department announced its implementation of a separate Day One executive order calling for a 90-day pause in foreign aid while the administration reviews whether the funding aligns with its foreign policy goals. After widespread outrage about the sweeping nature of the foreign aid pause, Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday approved a waiver allowing "life-saving humanitarian assistance" to continue. But that waiver did not help the programs SIVs rely on, said Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and founder of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of groups that have helped Afghan allies come to the U.S. since the end of the war in 2021. Among the programs losing funding during the freeze is the International Organization for Migration's travel loans program -- the way most SIV holders pay for their flights. More than 3,000 SIV holders were already booked on flights before the aid freeze, while another 33,000 were waiting to be booked, a congressional aide told on condition of anonymity. SIV holders could theoretically still come to the U.S. if they can afford to pay for their own flights. But once they arrive, the freeze means they won't get any help paying for rent and food, finding a job, learning English or figuring out other basic necessities. That's because the freeze also cuts off funding for what's known as the Reception and Placement program, which provides federal funding to resettlement agencies to help SIV holders and refugees for the first 30 to 90 days they are in the country. "The people with the big catcher's mitt at the airport and the welcome sign saying, 'Welcome to America'? Those people can't go there anymore because their funding got cut off," VanDiver said. Congress first created the SIV program for Afghans in 2009 in order to provide a pathway for them to come to the country if they worked for the U.S. military as interpreters and in other jobs. The work put their lives in danger by making them a target for the Taliban. The threat to their lives skyrocketed after the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban swept back into power. Lawmakers in both parties, veterans of the war and other advocates scrambled to get as many Afghan allies out before the last U.S. troops left, but thousands were left behind. As of the end of September, more than 53,000 completed SIV applications were still pending, according to the State Department's most recent quarterly report on the program. Rubio was among the lawmakers who pressed the Biden administration to do more to help Afghan allies during the withdrawal. The State Department did not provide a comment on how the foreign aid freeze is affecting the SIV program by deadline. But in a news release Wednesday, it defended the freeze in general as "rooting out waste" and "blocking woke programs." "Every dollar we spend, every program we fund, and every policy we pursue must make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous," the release said. "And that is exactly what we are doing right now -- prioritizing America's core national interests one dollar at a time." The news release also outlined the process to obtain a waiver from the freeze and contended that the "process was used successfully dozens of times in the first several days alone." But, the release added, "many requests failed to provide the level of detail necessary to allow a thorough evaluation." Despite the aid for SIV holders not yet getting a waiver, VanDiver said he remains hopeful that the effects on the SIV program were unintentional and that a waiver will be granted once the process is worked through. In the meantime, though, lives are at stake, he said. "Exemptions for Afghan allies protect America's credibility on the world stage," he said. "Military and intelligence leaders rely on local partners to win wars, whether in Afghanistan, Iraq or future conflicts. If we break our word, why would anyone take risks for us again?" Related: 'Friends Begging for Help': Afghan Allies Stranded After Trump Suspends Refugee Program
Egypt Independent
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Thousands of Afghans who helped the US lose access to critical resources following Trump directives
CNN — Thousands of Afghans who worked directly for or on behalf of the US government in Afghanistan have been cut off from critical resources and face huge uncertainty over whether they'll be able to travel to the United States following moves by the Trump administration to halt foreign aid and bar federally funded help according to multiple sources. Last week, the Trump administration halted refugee flights across the globe, froze almost all foreign assistance, and cut off assistance for newly arrived refugees in the United States. These actions have had immediate repercussions for the thousands of Afghans who served alongside the US military. For those who are now in limbo in third countries like Qatar, the freeze means they have lost access to services and even goods like diapers and toiletries that were funded by the US government, sources told CNN. They added that the freeze on foreign assistance directly impacts the ability of Afghans who received special immigrant visas (SIVs) to travel to the US, including translators who worked for the US military, people who were on US bases or compounds, among others. While some can pay their own way to the United States, others rely on flights paid for by US assistance that is now frozen. Others who worked alongside the US and qualified for other kinds of refugee visas have also been impacted by the administration's actions. There are around 3,000 Afghans currently in Qatar and 500 in Albania who are awaiting onward travel to the US, according to Anna Lloyd of Task Force Argo, a volunteer group that works to relocate vulnerable Afghans. 'This freeze has hurt them significantly, not just for a pause in further relocation and resettlement to America, but a pause in providing them basic necessities there in Doha,' she told CNN. The freeze on foreign assistance abruptly halted services – including mental health services, education for children, sewing or music classes, and even the distribution of things like diapers and toiletries – provided by organizations in these third-party countries. 'We are only able to provide life sustaining services – food and emergency medical,' a US official said. It's unclear at this point what constitutes emergency medical services. For those still in Afghanistan, the impact of the freeze could mean placing them in immense danger of retaliation from the Taliban government. Some Afghans expecting to leave 'sold everything' Lloyd explained that Afghans who were told they were on future flights have likely 'sold everything' and left their homes to await their flights. 'And now the flights have stopped and they have to return to what? Where do they return? If they return to their village, they'll be identified as somebody who did not make it out on a US flight,' she said. The risk to Afghan allies who remained in the country is one that now-national security adviser Mike Waltz used to stress when he was serving as a lawmaker. In 2022, Waltz said the Biden administration 'abandoned' Afghan allies and called for officials to be held accountable for the 'thousands of allies we abandoned and made unkept promises of security for their safety.' Meanwhile, organizations have scrambled to deal with the impact of the aid suspension, and a separate memo placing an indefinite halt on providing services for refugees already in the United States. 'We have these immigrants here legally, who no longer have those services, they're stuck in hotels. They came here with a backpack on their back, not with a shipment of household goods. They didn't come here with a large bank account. They came here because of the honorable and faithful service they gave to America,' Lloyd told CNN. Several organizations including Task Force Argo and #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations that has been working to bring Afghan allies to safety since the end of the war in Afghanistan in 2021, have urged the administration to exempt Afghans allies from the freeze in services. Within the administration, conversations are also ongoing about what, if anything, can be done to carve out those Afghans who helped the US abroad, according to two sources. It's unclear if the impact to SIV recipients was an unintended consequence of the cable, the US official told CNN. 'If it's not on purpose, it shouldn't be outside the realm of possibility to do a waiver,' the official said. 'If they refuse to do a waiver, then whether it was unintended or not, it's now on purpose.' An expected 40,000 SIV recipients are expected to be impacted, according to #AfghanEvac. The impact to SIV recipients is in addition to the already-impacted group of refugees around the world who have had flights cancelled after the Trump administration suspended the refugee admissions program. While SIV recipients must prove they worked directly for the US government, many who assisted the US are not eligible for SIVs and instead come to the US through the refugee track. That group of impacted individuals includes the families of roughly 200 US service members. To be eligible for a SIV, according to the State Department, an individual must prove that they were employed in Afghanistan for or on behalf of the US government for at least a year and provided 'faithful and valuable services,' which is documented in a letter of recommendation. Many Afghans who worked for the US military, for example, submit letters of recommendation by US military commanders for whom they worked attesting to their service. Under the Biden administration, more than 180,000 Afghans were resettled following the collapse of the Afghan government to the Taliban and the withdrawal of the US, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in December. 'We still have a lot more to do,' Blinken said at the time. 'A lot more to do for Afghans in our country, a lot more to do for those who are still on the way.' Trump administration officials have previously said they support Afghan allies who helped the US during its two decades in Afghanistan. Asked about Afghan allies on Monday morning during his arrival to the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told reporters, 'We stand by our allies.'
