President Trump's recent travel ban affecting Afghans, while including an exception for those with Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), has caused further distress for vulnerable Afghans. The ban, coupled with the administration's cuts to resettlement programs and the closure of the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, leaves many Afghans, including those who aided the US but don't qualify for SIVs, in limbo. Even those with SIVs face uncertainty regarding their families. Advocates express concerns about the practical impact of the exception and the lack of clarity surrounding the ban's application, creating fear and confusion among Afghans both in and outside the US.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.