Thousands of Afghans who sought refuge in the US following the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan face imminent deportation amid the Trump administration’s anti-immigration measures. The revocation of safeguards, including temporary protected status (TPS), has left many Afghans, including those who assisted US forces, vulnerable to deportation. Despite claims of improved security in Afghanistan, concerns persist over the safety of returning individuals, particularly women, minorities, and former allies of the foreign war effort.

The loss of TPS for Afghans, effective from July 14, has sparked fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities, with some expressing a preference for suicide over facing the Taliban’s brutality. While the Department of Homeland Security argues that Afghanistan is now safe for return, bipartisan opposition, including from US Senators, highlights the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable groups under Taliban rule.

Efforts to grant Afghans permanent legal status in the US have faced obstacles, leaving many families reliant on TPS for protection from deportation and work authorization. The current immigration backlog further complicates the situation for Afghans seeking asylum or other forms of legal status. The plight of Afghan allies awaiting special immigration visas (SIV) underscores the challenges and delays in obtaining permanent residency.

As the uncertain fate of Afghan immigrants in the US hangs in the balance, advocates continue to push for humanitarian considerations and legal protections for those at risk of persecution and violence under Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.