Afghan prosecutors face deportation and Taliban retribution

In mid-June 2025, Pakistan deported three Afghan prosecutors with pending applications under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). These individuals had sought refuge after facing Taliban harassment and threats due to their previous work in Afghanistan. One of the deported, a female prosecutor, had suffered abuse at the hands of the Taliban, while another male prosecutor from the Hazara minority was under a Taliban arrest warrant. Both now face dire circumstances in Afghanistan, having relocated to remote areas with limited access to essential services. This situation highlights the broader crisis Afghans now face after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, subsequently leaving many allies vulnerable to Taliban retribution. Moreover, the U.S. has largely suspended resettlement opportunities for eligible Afghans, posing immense risks to those who dedicated their lives to supporting American operations. An official from the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, Mark Dumaine, expressed his disappointment over the U.S. government's failure to protect these individuals who had previously been encouraged to serve in roles requiring interaction with the Taliban, particularly women in legal positions. The lack of resettlement programs leaves many Afghan allies feeling abandoned by the very government they trusted for safety. With Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar serving as a processing site for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and USRAP applicants, there remains uncertainty regarding the future of the facility and its inhabitants. The plight of these Afghans, who often sold their belongings in faith of securing safety with the U.S. government, underscores the urgent need for international action to protect vulnerable communities from imminent harm. As deportations continue and the U.S. government grapples with ongoing legal cases regarding refugee processing, these vulnerable Afghans remain trapped in a perilous limbo.