Trump's cruel move threatens deportation of Afghan allies
- The Trump administration is lifting Temporary Protected Status for thousands of Afghans who fled the Taliban.
- This action is expected to expose these individuals to potential deportation and persecution upon their return to Afghanistan.
- Veterans and advocacy groups criticize this move as a betrayal of wartime allies and a violation of U.S. commitments.
In the United States, the Trump administration decided to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghans who fled the Taliban's rule. This policy change, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, is set to take effect in July, making these individuals eligible for deportation back to Afghanistan, which poses significant risks to their safety due to the Taliban's history of persecution. Veterans who served in Afghanistan have expressed outrage over this development, claiming it contradicts the government's commitment to its wartime allies. Advocacy groups estimate around 10,000 Afghans in the U.S. rely on TPS as they navigate the complex pathway to permanent residency. As conditions in Afghanistan remain perilous under Taliban control, veterans fear that deporting these allies would betray trust and severely hinder future cooperation in conflicts requiring local support. The revocation of TPS for these Afghans adds to a broader pattern under Trump's administration that has aimed to impose stricter immigration controls, targeting various groups while prioritizing specific demographics for refugee status. Additionally, previous legislative efforts like the Afghan Adjustment Act, aimed at securing permanent residency for Afghan allies, faced legislative hurdles, with Congress failing to act decisively. This situation places significant pressure on vulnerable populations seeking refuge and raises ethical concerns regarding U.S. commitments to those who supported its mission abroad.