Trump Administration Orders Afghan Refugees to Leave U.S. in Seven Days

The Trump Administration has imposed orders to Afghan refugees who arrived in the U.S. after the Taliban retook control in 2021, requiring them to leave within seven days or be deported back to Afghanistan, drawing criticism for putting lives in jeopardy and breaking promises made to wartime allies. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Afghan families living in North Carolina that they must depart the United States by early October and threatened legal action if they did not abide.

After the chaotic chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, about 150,000 Afghans, including interpreters, intelligence aides and others who supported U.S. forces were resettled in the U.S. under either humanitarian parole, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), or Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Many were promised safety in exchange for providing their services because after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan many were left to face the Taliban.

The new policy echoes President Donald Trump’s campaign promise of stricter immigration enforcement, with removals of people with criminal histories being prioritized. Yet, advocates say the policy is targeting even the most vulnerable of allies by taking away TPS protections and forcing them to return to the Taliban controlled Afghanistan, with one refugee bluntly stating, “If we go back, we are not safe. It’s a suicide mission,” to WRAL News.

Human rights groups and lawmakers from both sides criticize the action as a violation of trust. The groups also argue it undermines U.S. credibility and might dissuade future international cooperation. “Walking away from allies puts a global partnership at risk,” said a spokesperson for a refugee advocacy group. Legal experts claim many of the families affected had bureaucratic barriers in obtaining permanent status, despite qualifying for SIVs.