A group that previously supported Donald Trump is expressing feelings of abandonment following the decision by the White House to revoke legal protections for many Afghan refugees living in the U.S. under temporary protected status (TPS).
Zobea Sangi, who leads the “Trump Afghans” movement—formed after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan—mentioned that after the Biden administration’s exit, his community shifted their allegiance to Trump. He’s now urging the current administration to reconsider its stance.
“The reality is that Afghanistan is not safe,” Sangi said. “Since the Taliban returned to power three years ago, the country has only grown more dangerous.”
He questioned the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) claims of improved security, saying they don’t match the situation on the ground.
“The Taliban is a terrorist group,” Sangi stated. “They threaten anyone who opposes them or has worked with the U.S. They are putting lives in real jeopardy.”
He highlighted the severe conditions faced by women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, saying, “They treat women worse than cows. Normal Afghans are living in a sort of prison, basically unable to leave their homes.”
Despite his discontent, Sangi hasn’t turned away from supporting Trump but is asking him to take another look at his decision. “We hope any mistakes made regarding Afghanistan can be rectified,” he said.
He praised Trump for not cutting off foreign aid to Afghanistan and warned against turning the Taliban into a bargaining partner. “The Taliban will disregard requests to return our $7 billion in military equipment and will instead align with the terrorists that threaten our communities,” Sangi remarked.
On Monday, the DHS officially ended TPS for Afghan citizens, potentially forcing over 9,000 individuals to return to a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. DHS Secretary Christie Noem cited “improved security” and economic stabilization as the rationale.
“This administration is reverting TPS to its original, temporary intention,” Noem explained. “We assessed the situation in Afghanistan and determined it no longer meets the requirements for designation.”
The TPS protection for Afghans is set to expire on May 20, with the program officially ending on July 12. The termination aligns with a broader goal of the administration to tackle fraud within the immigration system and address national security issues.
Following the Taliban’s rise in 2021, TPS allowed foreigners from countries facing emergencies to live legally in the U.S. Many Afghans who aided the U.S. military during the war arrived under a Special Immigration Visa (SIV) program, while others, including former government workers, came in under TPS amidst the chaos after the withdrawal. These individuals now face possible deportation.
Former Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCall has also criticized claims of improved security, urging the administration to cancel the TPS designation for Afghan immigrants with SIV or P1 and P2 visas.
“The Taliban continues to seek revenge against those who helped the U.S. Until we see genuine change in their behavior, the safety of Afghan allies must remain a priority for the administration,” McCall insisted.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House and DHS for comments.
