The Trump administration is contemplating imposing travel restrictions on citizens from several countries, including Pakistan, as part of a more extensive immigration crackdown, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters.
This internal memo lists Pakistan among 26 countries that could face a partial suspension of U.S. visa issuance if the government fails to address “deficiencies” in its vetting and security procedures within 60 days. Other countries in this category reportedly include Belarus and Turkmenistan.
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that the list is not yet final and may be revised before formal approval by the administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The New York Times initially reported the details.
Pakistan’s Inclusion and Potential Impacts
If this move is finalized, it could affect Pakistanis seeking U.S. visas for travel, work, and study. While the specifics of the deficiencies cited in the memo are unclear, past U.S. concerns about Pakistan’s immigration controls and security measures have often centered on border management, data-sharing on travelers, and counterterrorism cooperation.
This development arises as part of Trump’s broader immigration policies, which have seen renewed focus in his second term. On January 20, he issued an executive order mandating intensified security vetting for all foreign nationals entering the U.S. and directing federal agencies to identify countries with insufficient screening protocols by March 21.
Pakistan has faced similar visa restrictions in the past. In 2019, the U.S. imposed visa curbs on Pakistani officials for allegedly failing to repatriate deported citizens. However, Islamabad has long maintained that it cooperates with U.S. security requirements.
Diplomatic and Economic Ramifications
If the visa suspension proceeds, it could impact Pakistani students, businesspeople, and families with ties in the U.S. The country is among the top nations sending students to American universities, and Pakistanis constitute a significant portion of U.S. employment-based visa applicants.
The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups.
Full Visa Suspension: Afghanistan Cuba Iran Libya North Korea Somalia Sudan Syria Venezuela Yemen
Partial Visa Suspension (tourist, student and some other visas affected): Eritrea Haiti Laos Myanmar South Sudan
Countries Recommended for Partial Suspension if They Do Not Address Deficiencies: Angola Antigua and Barbuda Belarus Benin Bhutan Burkina Faso Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Chad Democratic Republic of the Congo Dominica Equatorial Guinea Gambia Liberia Malawi Mauritania Pakistan Republic of the Congo Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Sao Tome and Principe Sierra Leone East Timor Turkmenistan Vanuatu
