Pakistan, alongside Afghanistan, Bhutan, and 38 other countries, may soon face travel restrictions to the United States as the Trump administration intensifies its crackdown on illegal immigration. A draft list of recommendations from security officials, obtained by media outlets, identifies 41 nations potentially subject to visa suspensions under President Donald Trump’s latest immigration policies.
According to the report, Pakistan is grouped with 26 countries—including Turkmenistan, Belarus, Bhutan, and Vanuatu—that could see a partial halt in U.S. visa issuance. The Shehbaz Sharif-led government has been given a 60-day window to address unspecified “deficiencies” in immigration compliance. Failure to act could trigger the ban. Vanuatu, notably, has drawn scrutiny after fugitive former IPL chairperson Lalit Modi claimed citizenship there.
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The Pakistani Foreign Ministry has downplayed the reports as “speculative.” On Tuesday, spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated, “As of now, this is all speculative and hence does not warrant a response,” adding that no official communication has been received from Washington. The denial follows a diplomatic spat earlier this week when Pakistani Ambassador to Turkmenistan KK Ahsan Wagan was deported from Los Angeles. U.S. authorities cited “controversial visa references” flagged by immigration systems, though no detailed explanation was provided.
The draft also highlights a “red list” of 10 countries—Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen—facing a full visa suspension. A second tier of five nations—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—could see restrictions on tourist, student, and other immigrant visas, with limited exceptions.
Trump set the stage for these measures on his first day in office, January 20, 2025, signing an executive order mandating rigorous vetting of foreigners entering the U.S. to counter security threats. The proposed bans signal a return to his administration’s hardline immigration stance, raising tensions with affected nations as the 60-day compliance clock ticks.
Key Points: Pakistan Among 41 Nations Facing Potential Trump Travel Ban
- Countries at Risk: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and 38 other nations are listed in a draft report as potential targets for U.S. travel bans under Trump’s immigration crackdown.
- Partial Ban Group: Pakistan is among 26 countries, including Turkmenistan, Belarus, and Vanuatu, facing a possible partial suspension of U.S. visas if “deficiencies” aren’t addressed within 60 days.
- Pakistan’s Response: The Pakistani Foreign Ministry dismissed the reports as “speculative,” with spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan noting no official U.S. notification has been received.
- Diplomatic Incident: The report follows the deportation of Pakistani Ambassador KK Ahsan Wagan from Los Angeles this week, linked to “controversial visa references” flagged by U.S. immigration.
- Red List Nations: Ten countries—Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen—face a full visa suspension.
- Second Tier Restrictions: Five nations—Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan—could see limits on tourist, student, and immigrant visas with some exceptions.
- Policy Trigger: The measures stem from an executive order signed by Trump on January 20, 2025, requiring extensive vetting of foreigners to address security threats.
