[Today’s Prayer] "President Trump to introduce new travel ban… restricting entry of Afghans and Pakistanis into the US"

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to implement a new travel ban, which could restrict Afghan and Pakistani citizens from entering the U.S. as early as next week, Reuters reported on the 5th (local time), citing sources familiar with the matter.

Reuters reported that this measure is reminiscent of President Trump's policy during his first term, which prohibited citizens of seven Muslim countries from entering the country for 90 days. Trump's travel ban at the time was revised several times and was finally approved by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.

The new travel ban will affect tens of thousands of Afghans who were planning to enter the United States as refugees or on special immigrant visas (SIVs). They are at risk of retaliation from the Taliban for their 20-year alliance with the United States.

On January 20, President Trump signed an executive order to strengthen the screening of foreign nationals entering the country. The order includes provisions to strengthen security screening to identify national security threats.

Under the order, agencies are required to submit a list of countries with inadequate screening by December 12. The order will recommend partial or full travel restrictions for those countries.

The measure is part of a tough immigration policy that President Trump has been pushing since the beginning of his term. In an October 2023 speech, he said he would restrict entry to people from Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and “any country that threatens our security.”

There are currently about 200,000 Afghans who have been approved for settlement in the U.S. or whose refugee and SIV applications are pending. They are stranded in more than 90 countries around the world, including Afghanistan, and about 20,000 are staying in Pakistan.

Source: News

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6: 1-2)

As U.S. President Trump plans a new travel ban, we hear the sad news that tens of thousands of Afghans who have fought two decades of war in Afghanistan and are at risk of reprisals from the Taliban for cooperating with the U.S. will find it difficult to resettle in the United States.

With nearly 200,000 Afghans stranded in more than 90 countries around the world, and about 20,000 in Pakistan, we pray that the Lord will provide a safe haven for Afghan refugees.

Lord, who brought revival to Afghanistan, may the Lord of life, who passed through the agony of the cross and conquered death, reign over Afghanistan.

For those who endure daily threats from the Taliban in mainland Afghanistan, would you allow so that gospel may flow and the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ and citizenship in your kingdom may be granted.

Allow the global church to serve the Afghan refugees, who have been living in fear for their lives and awaiting salvation, since the return of the Taliban to power,

Send those from global church, who will have the grace to work with God to share with Afghan refugees the joy of first grace and salvation, and guide the church in the United States to raise its voice in this matter.

So that the people of Afghanistan may rejoice in their salvation and become a nation that carries the good news of salvation to the nations!