Key Takeaways
• Travel ban from June 9, 2025, bars most Afghans from entering U.S., including women and students.
• Exemptions include Special Immigrant Visa holders, green card holders, dual nationals, and rare waivers.
• High visa overstays (29.3% students, 9.7% tourists) cited as main reason for ban.
Thousands of Afghan Women Left in Limbo by New U.S. Travel Ban
On June 5, 2025, President Trump signed a new proclamation that bans citizens from 12 countries—including Afghanistan—from entering the United States 🇺🇸. The travel ban, which takes effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., has left thousands of Afghan women and other vulnerable groups stranded, feeling betrayed and abandoned after years of waiting for U.S. visas. The decision, one of the most sweeping immigration moves of President Trump’s current term, is already having a deep impact on families, students, and refugees who had pinned their hopes on a new life in the United States 🇺🇸.
Who Is Affected and Why the Ban Was Imposed
The new travel ban fully suspends both immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States 🇺🇸 for Afghan nationals. This means that Afghans cannot enter the country on tourist visas, student visas, or most other types of temporary or permanent visas. The only exceptions are for a few specific groups, which will be explained in detail below.
The Trump administration says the ban is needed for national security reasons. Officials point to the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan, the lack of reliable passport and civil registration systems, and high rates of visa overstays by Afghan nationals. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, in 2023, 9.7% of Afghan business and tourist visa holders and 29.3% of student and exchange visa holders overstayed their visas. These numbers are much higher than the average for other countries, and the administration argues that without proper documents and reliable background checks, it is too risky to allow most Afghans to enter the United States 🇺🇸.
Immediate Impact: Afghan Women and Vulnerable Groups Left Behind
The travel ban’s immediate effect is clear: most Afghan women and other vulnerable groups outside the United States 🇺🇸 without a valid visa as of June 9, 2025, are now barred from entry. This includes people who have already spent years waiting for their U.S. visas, many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Taliban took power in 2021. Tens of thousands of Afghans, including women and children, are currently stranded in third countries such as Pakistan, waiting for resettlement or family reunification in the United States 🇺🇸.
For Afghan women, the sense of betrayal is especially strong. Many had risked their lives to support U.S. efforts in Afghanistan or are at risk of persecution under Taliban rule. Now, after years of hope and waiting, they find themselves shut out by the very country they believed would offer them safety.
Key Groups Exempt from the Ban
While the travel ban is broad, there are a few important exemptions:
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders: These are Afghans who worked for the U.S. military or government and have been approved for SIV status. They can still enter the United States 🇺🇸 if they have valid SIV documentation.
- U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card Holders): Afghans who already have a green card are not affected by the ban and can return to the United States 🇺🇸 as usual.
- Dual Nationals: Afghans who also hold citizenship in another country that is not on the banned list can enter the United States 🇺🇸 if they travel on their non-Afghan passport.
- National Interest Exceptions: In rare cases, individuals can apply for a waiver if their entry is considered in the national interest of the United States 🇺🇸. These waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis by the Secretary of State.
Who Is Blocked: Family Reunification, Refugees, and Students
The ban affects a wide range of people, including:
- Family Reunification Applicants: Many Afghan women and children who have already cleared most of the vetting process for joining family members in the United States 🇺🇸 are now blocked.
- Refugees and Humanitarian Parole Applicants: This includes women at risk of violence or persecution under Taliban rule.
- Most Student, Tourist, and Employment-Based Visa Applicants: The ban halts the dreams of hundreds of students and professionals who had hoped to study or work in the United States 🇺🇸.
A Real-Life Example: The Tutoring Academy in Islamabad
One clear example of the ban’s impact can be seen at a tutoring academy in Islamabad, Pakistan. This academy has about 300 Afghan women students who were preparing for life in the United States 🇺🇸. With the halt in visa processing, these women now face an uncertain future. Many report feeling that their years of study and hope have been wasted.
The Emotional Toll: Feelings of Betrayal and Despair
Reports from Islamabad and other third-country hubs describe widespread despair among Afghan women. Many say they feel “abandoned” and “betrayed” by the United States 🇺🇸. Some describe the policy as a “death sentence,” especially for those at risk of Taliban persecution. The psychological toll is severe, with many women experiencing deep emotional distress and uncertainty about their future.
Advocacy Groups Speak Out
Advocacy organizations such as AfghanEvac have strongly criticized the travel ban. They argue that it is a violation of U.S. promises to vulnerable Afghans, especially women who supported U.S. efforts or are at risk under Taliban rule. AfghanEvac calls the ban “scapegoating” and a “betrayal” of the commitments made by the United States 🇺🇸.
Official Rationale: Security and Vetting Concerns
U.S. officials say the travel ban is necessary because the collapse of civil institutions under Taliban rule makes it impossible to reliably vet Afghan applicants. Without trustworthy documents and background checks, they argue, there is a risk that dangerous individuals could enter the United States 🇺🇸. The high rates of visa overstays by Afghans in recent years are also cited as a reason for the ban.
Step-by-Step Procedures for Exempt Categories
For those who are exempt from the travel ban, here’s what you need to know:
- Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holders:
- Continue to process your case through the U.S. Department of State’s SIV program.
- Present your valid SIV documentation at U.S. ports of entry.
- SIV holders are not subject to the new ban.
- For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s SIV page.
- Green Card Holders:
- Present your valid U.S. permanent resident card when entering the United States 🇺🇸.
- You are not affected by the travel ban.
- Dual Nationals:
- Travel on a passport from a country that is not on the banned list.
- Make sure you meet all other entry requirements.
- National Interest Exceptions:
- Apply for a waiver through the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
- Approval is at the discretion of the Secretary of State and is not guaranteed.
Background: A Long History of U.S. Support for Afghans
The United States 🇺🇸 has a long history of providing refuge to Afghans, especially those who supported American operations or are at risk under Taliban rule. After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans were evacuated. However, many more—especially women and children—remained in limbo in third countries, waiting for U.S. visas.
The new travel ban revives and expands earlier restrictive policies from President Trump’s first term. Afghanistan is now included due to the changed security situation and the collapse of civil institutions under Taliban rule.
Policy Implications: Family Separation and Halted Resettlement
The practical effects of the travel ban are far-reaching:
- Family Separation: Thousands of Afghan women and children who had already cleared much of the vetting process are now separated from family members in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Resettlement Programs Suspended: Programs like Enduring Welcome and other humanitarian pathways are effectively suspended for Afghans who do not hold SIVs or other exempt statuses.
- Dreams on Hold: Students, professionals, and families who had hoped for a new start in the United States 🇺🇸 now face an uncertain future.
Quantitative Data: The Numbers Behind the Ban
- In 2023, 9.7% of Afghan business and tourist visa holders and 29.3% of student and exchange visa holders overstayed their visas.
- Tens of thousands of Afghans, including women and children, are currently stranded in third countries awaiting U.S. resettlement or family reunification.
- The tutoring academy in Islamabad has around 300 students affected by the halt in visa processing.
Multiple Perspectives: What Different Groups Are Saying
- Advocacy Groups: AfghanEvac and similar organizations argue that the ban is a violation of U.S. commitments to vulnerable Afghans, especially women who supported U.S. efforts or are at risk under Taliban rule.
- Affected Individuals: Afghan women in Islamabad and other locations describe the policy as a “betrayal” and a “death sentence” for those at risk of Taliban persecution.
- U.S. Officials: Emphasize national security and the inability to reliably vet Afghan applicants due to the collapse of civil institutions under Taliban rule.
Future Outlook: Legal and Political Challenges Ahead
The travel ban is expected to face legal challenges in U.S. courts. Advocacy groups argue that it violates international obligations and U.S. promises to Afghan allies. There is also significant pressure from human rights organizations and some members of Congress to reverse or amend the ban, especially for women and at-risk populations.
Groups like AfghanEvac have vowed to continue lobbying for exceptions and humanitarian pathways for Afghan women and other vulnerable groups. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the coming months will likely see intense debate and possible changes to the policy, but for now, the practical effect is a near-total halt to U.S. resettlement for most Afghans outside the exempt categories.
What Can Affected Individuals Do Now?
If you are an Afghan national affected by the travel ban, here are some steps you can take:
- Check Your Status: If you hold an SIV, green card, or are a dual national, review your documents and entry requirements.
- Contact U.S. Authorities: For case-specific guidance, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
- Seek Advocacy Support: Organizations like AfghanEvac provide support and may have updates on legal challenges or new pathways.
- Monitor Official Updates: Stay informed through official sources such as the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Services page.
Key Resources
- U.S. Department of State – Visa Services: Official information on U.S. visas, including updates on the travel ban and exemptions.
- AfghanEvac Coalition: Advocacy and support for affected Afghans.
Conclusion: A Time of Uncertainty and Advocacy
The June 2025 travel ban has left thousands of Afghan women and other vulnerable groups stranded, with only narrow exemptions for SIV holders and a few other categories. The policy, justified by the Trump administration on security grounds, has drawn sharp criticism from advocacy groups and affected individuals, who argue it abandons those most at risk under Taliban rule. Legal and political challenges are expected, but for now, the practical effect is a near-total halt to U.S. resettlement for most Afghans, particularly women, outside the exempt categories.
For Afghan women waiting for U.S. visas, the sense of loss is deep. Many had hoped for safety and a new start in the United States 🇺🇸. Now, they face more waiting, more uncertainty, and the hope that advocacy and legal action will open new doors in the future. If you or someone you know is affected, reach out to advocacy groups and check official government resources for the latest updates and possible next steps.
Learn Today
Travel Ban → Government order prohibiting entry of nationals from specific countries for security reasons.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) → Visa for Afghans who supported U.S. military or government, allowing entry despite bans.
Green Card → Legal permanent resident status permitting foreign nationals to live and work permanently in the U.S.
National Interest Exception → Case-by-case waiver allowing entry despite bans if deemed beneficial for U.S. interests.
Visa Overstay → When a visa holder remains in a country beyond the allowed duration of their visa.
This Article in a Nutshell
The June 2025 U.S. travel ban blocks most Afghan nationals, leaving thousands, especially women, stranded. Exceptions include SIV holders and green card holders. The policy is justified by security and vetting concerns amid Taliban rule, sparking widespread despair and advocacy for affected Afghans hoping to resettle in the U.S.
— By VisaVerge.com
