• Move by DHS exposes Afghans to deportation
• WFP unable to fulfil Afghanistan’s food needs amid aid cuts
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration will not renew the protected status of thousands of Afghans legally residing in the United States — a move that could expose them to deportation next month.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Friday that it will terminate the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans — a designation that had allowed them to live and work legally in the country.
The decision would affect nearly 14,600 Afghans.
TPS is a legal protection granted to nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
It shields them from deportation and allows lawful employment in the United States.
The Biden administration first designated TPS for Afghans in 2022. The status was extended in 2023.
However, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said on Friday that Secretary Kristi Noem — after reviewing updated assessments by immigration authorities and consulting with the State Department — had determined that Afghanistan “no longer meets the statutory requirements” for TPS.
The decision drew swift criticism from advocacy groups and veterans’ organisations that have supported Afghan allies of the US military.
Destination
It remained unclear where these Afghans would be sent in case of deportation, as the US does not recognise the Taliban-led government in Kabul and has no direct flights to Afghanistan.
In such a scenario, deportees are often returned to the country from where they last departed.
For many Afghans, that would be Pakistan, which is itself currently deporting undocumented Afghans.
Tens of thousands of Afghans had supported US forces during the war — including as interpreters and contractors. Many were resettled under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programme or through the US Refugee Admissions Program, but a significant number are still waiting for their immigration cases to be processed.
For them, TPS served as a temporary legal safeguard.
WFP cuts back assistance
The Afghans are now at risk of being sent back to Afghanistan, which is already grappling with humanitarian and economic crises.
Aid organisations working to mitigate the human catastrophe are under strain due to funding cuts.
