Council on National Security and Immigration Urges Trump Administration to Exempt Afghan SIV Holders from New Travel Restrictions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2025

CONTACT: Roberto Estrada 
restrada@monumentadvocacy.com

WASHINGTON – Council on National Security and Immigration (CNSI) today released the following statement urging the Trump Administration to include exemptions for Afghans who have already been approved for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) from any forthcoming travel restrictions. These individuals risked their lives supporting U.S. forces and abandoning them now could damage America’s credibility with future allies.

“Protecting the United States requires a strict and reliable vetting process for all foreign nationals seeking entry. It is critical that all countries with visa programs have the capacity to provide and verify the information needed for the U.S. to adequately vet visa applicants.

“We acknowledge Afghanistan may not have the ability to currently meet the threshold desired by the government, but an exemption should be made for Afghans who have already been approved for Special Immigrant Visas. These people have already undergone an extensive, multi-agency screening process led by the U.S. government, making them among the most thoroughly vetted individuals seeking entry, and should be excluded from any forthcoming travel restrictions.

“Banning entry to SIV recipients does not enhance national security—it undermines it. We urge the Trump Administration to grant an exemption for SIV holders and their spouses and children, ensuring that national security remains the priority while upholding our commitments to those who have already met the highest vetting standards.”

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