Afghan Refugees to Face Deportation as TPS Ends
A significant number of Afghans residing in the U.S. are set to be deported following the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan refugees, effective Monday.
Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem indicated that conditions in Afghanistan have reportedly improved enough to allow refugees to return to their home country.
Since the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, American taxpayers have contributed approximately $20.7 billion in aid to the nation.
During that withdrawal, 13 U.S. servicemen lost their lives in a tragic attack at Kabul airport, and nearly 76,000 Afghans were subsequently relocated to the United States. Most of these refugees settled in Virginia, California, and Texas.
Noem stated, “This administration is reverting the TPS to its original, temporary intention. We evaluated Afghanistan’s situation with our interagency partners but found that it no longer meets the requirements for TPS designation due to improved security and economic stability.”
The protection against deportation for Afghans will cease in 60 days, as mandated following a DHS notification. The Afghan population in the U.S. grew from 54,000 to 195,000 between 2010 and 2022, but there are questions about how many have achieved citizenship or legal permanent residency.
A Special Immigration Visa (SIV) program was established in 2006 for Afghan and Iraqi translators aiding U.S. military efforts to obtain green cards.
The U.S. withdrawal in 2021 heralded a new crisis as many Afghans sought to escape the country. With the Taliban regaining control, oppressive laws targeting various religious groups were quickly imposed. Women’s rights deteriorated significantly, with tight restrictions on attire and public behavior.
The Taliban is rooted in Deobandi Islam, which has historically displayed hostility towards other Islamic sects, including the Hazara community and Sufi Muslims.
Noem defended the decision to end TPS for Afghans, citing a resurgence in tourism in Afghanistan and a decrease in violence. However, there remain apprehensions about the safety of returning religious minorities, who may face serious risks upon re-entry.
“Humanitarian needs persist, yet the number of individuals requiring aid has decreased to 23.7 million this year, down from over 29 million last year,” she noted.
