Many Afghan refugees are now facing an uncertain future following a controversial immigration policy enacted by former President Donald Trump, which has left families grappling with feelings of betrayal and fear for their safety.
Afghan Refugees Feel 'Abandoned' Amid Trump’s Recent Immigration Order
Afghan Refugees Feel 'Abandoned' Amid Trump’s Recent Immigration Order
Afghan migrants express despair as Trump's executive order halts their resettlement process.
After fleeing Afghanistan during the chaotic US withdrawal in August 2021, Abdullah, a current paratrooper for the US military, embodies the anguish faced by many. "It's like the United States doesn't actually understand what I did for this country, it's a betrayal," he told the BBC. His concerns grew when Trump's order suspended a vital resettlement program for Afghan refugees, including no exemptions for active service members' families.
"This feels like a huge kick in the gut," said Abdullah, who fears for the safety of his sister and her husband back in Afghanistan. The Taliban's regime poses a grave threat to those who collaborated with US forces, and Abdullah's sister laments her lack of hope since the order was announced. She believes her life is in peril due to her brother's ties to the US military.
The executive order, which Trump insisted was necessary to counter "record levels of migration," has left many feelings of abandonment despite their contributions alongside American forces. Many Afghan refugees, like Abdullah, chose to stay anonymous for fear of risking their families' safety, as they navigate their tenuous situation.
Babak, a former legal adviser for the Afghan Air Force, remains in hiding and echoed Abdullah's sentiments, expressing confusion at the administration's decision: "We risked our lives for those missions. Now we're in grave danger." Babak has been moving his family frequently, evading threats from the Taliban, and continues to appeal for reconsideration of his asylum claims.
Ahmad, another refugee, shares a similar plight. Separating from his family during the withdrawal to seek asylum in the US weighs heavily on him. He points to his father, a former colonel whose ties to the CIA have made their family a target. Ahmad desperately seeks assistance as his family’s situation grows increasingly precarious in Pakistan, where their visas are set to expire.
Mina, a pregnant Afghan woman, has faced her own harrowing journey, highlighting the fear of returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Having previously protested for women's rights, she feels threatened and has been waiting for a flight out of the region. Reports indicate a larger trend, with the Pakistani government beginning expulsion of undocumented Afghans amidst rising tensions.
The United Nations has recorded that over 795,000 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan since September 2023, heightening the desperation and sense of isolation felt by those affected. These Afghan refugees are caught in a relentless cycle of despair, torn between the dangers of their homeland and concerns for their safety in host countries, with their hopes for resettlement in the US suddenly dashed. As the Biden administration reassesses immigration policies, many Afghans await the opportunity for relief from their precarious situation.
"This feels like a huge kick in the gut," said Abdullah, who fears for the safety of his sister and her husband back in Afghanistan. The Taliban's regime poses a grave threat to those who collaborated with US forces, and Abdullah's sister laments her lack of hope since the order was announced. She believes her life is in peril due to her brother's ties to the US military.
The executive order, which Trump insisted was necessary to counter "record levels of migration," has left many feelings of abandonment despite their contributions alongside American forces. Many Afghan refugees, like Abdullah, chose to stay anonymous for fear of risking their families' safety, as they navigate their tenuous situation.
Babak, a former legal adviser for the Afghan Air Force, remains in hiding and echoed Abdullah's sentiments, expressing confusion at the administration's decision: "We risked our lives for those missions. Now we're in grave danger." Babak has been moving his family frequently, evading threats from the Taliban, and continues to appeal for reconsideration of his asylum claims.
Ahmad, another refugee, shares a similar plight. Separating from his family during the withdrawal to seek asylum in the US weighs heavily on him. He points to his father, a former colonel whose ties to the CIA have made their family a target. Ahmad desperately seeks assistance as his family’s situation grows increasingly precarious in Pakistan, where their visas are set to expire.
Mina, a pregnant Afghan woman, has faced her own harrowing journey, highlighting the fear of returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Having previously protested for women's rights, she feels threatened and has been waiting for a flight out of the region. Reports indicate a larger trend, with the Pakistani government beginning expulsion of undocumented Afghans amidst rising tensions.
The United Nations has recorded that over 795,000 Afghans have been expelled from Pakistan since September 2023, heightening the desperation and sense of isolation felt by those affected. These Afghan refugees are caught in a relentless cycle of despair, torn between the dangers of their homeland and concerns for their safety in host countries, with their hopes for resettlement in the US suddenly dashed. As the Biden administration reassesses immigration policies, many Afghans await the opportunity for relief from their precarious situation.
