-
Original Date Announced
November 29, 2025Reuters reports that, based on a State Department cable it reviewed, the Trump administration ordered consulates and embassies to stop processing visas for Afghan nationals, including immigrant, non-immigrant, and Special Immigrant visas. This comes after an Afghan national was accused of shooting two National Guard members. The new policy "effectively suspend[s] the special immigration program for Afghans who helped the United States during its 20-year long occupation."
The cable specified that already-scheduled appointments should not be canceled; however, during those meetings, consular officers should refuse visas. Any authorized but not yet printed visas should be canceled, and any already-printed visas should be destroyed. The cable follows a statement by Secretary of State Rubio on X that the "State Department has paused visa issuance for ALL individuals traveling on Afghan passports."
Trump 2.0 [ID #2100]
2025.11.29 Reported: US State Department stops processing visas for Afghan allies - ReutersEffective Date
November 29, 2025Current Status
NoneOriginal Trump Policy Status
Status: ReportedTrump Administration Action: Agency DirectiveSubject Matter: Immigrant Visas Immigrant Visas: Special Immigrant Non-Immigrant VisasAgencies Affected: DOSAssociated or Derivative Policies
- April 11, 2025 DHS terminates TPS for Afghanistan
- June 4, 2025 Proclamation 10949: Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the U.S. from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats
- December 2, 2025 Reported: ICE targets Afghans for deportation
- December 26, 2025 USCIS pauses processing of immigration requests from Afghans
To provide information, corrections, or feedback, please email IPTP.feedback@gmail.com