US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order imposing a broad travel ban on citizens of Afghanistan and 11 other countries, effectively suspending their entry into the United States.

The ban also applies to travellers from Iran, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The order, issued on Wednesday, 4 June, cites the Taliban’s control of Afghanistan as justification for including Afghan citizens in the ban. The Taliban is listed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group by the US government. The SDGT list, maintained by the US Department of the Treasury, targets groups and individuals associated with terrorist activities and imposes financial sanctions, including asset freezes.

The order further states that Afghanistan lacks a capable and reliable central authority to issue passports and other civil documents. It also argues that the country does not have adequate mechanisms in place for conducting background checks or screening individuals prior to travel.

Under the new directive, the entry of Afghan citizens, both immigrants and non-immigrants, into the United States is suspended with immediate effect.

The executive order includes several exemptions. Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders are permitted to enter the United States, as are religious and ethnic minorities from Iran who have been granted immigrant visas. US permanent residents and dual nationals travelling on a passport from a country not subject to the ban are also exempt.

Other exemptions apply to immediate family members with immigrant visas, individuals holding special US government employee visas, and those travelling with diplomatic visas for United Nations or NATO missions. Additionally, athletes, coaches and accompanying staff participating in events such as the Olympics, World Cup or other major international sporting competitions are not subject to the ban.