Trump administration ends protected status for thousands of Afghans

In March 2023, Kristi Noem, the then Secretary of Homeland Security, announced the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, concluding that the conditions in Afghanistan no longer justified such protections. The decision followed the Taliban's return to power and was based on a review by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, which found that the statutory requirements for TPS were not met. As a result, thousands of Afghans who had fled to the U.S. after the chaotic withdrawal in 2021 faced potential deportation by May 2025 as their temporary legal status would end. The situation was exacerbated by new immigration rules that affected not only those with TPS but also other immigrants, demonstrating a toughening stance on immigration by the Trump administration and leading to widespread fears and anxiety among those impacted. Alongside the terminations for Afghans, the protections for Cameroonians were set to end in June 2025, further highlighting the challenges faced by foreign nationals in the U.S. The responses from advocacy groups and individuals have been largely critical, underscoring concerns about the humanitarian implications of the policy changes, especially for those who had previously been assured safety and support in the U.S. These developments reflect a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration, with many migrants expressing deep fears of deportation and uncertainty about their futures.