Nasir, a legal adviser to the Afghan Air Force during the conflict, has been living in hiding in Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover in 2021. He awaits approval to resettle in the United States, having completed background checks and only needing a medical exam to finalize the process. However, an executive action signed by President Trump has blocked the paths of Nasir and tens of thousands of other Afghans seeking resettlement.
The order suspends a resettlement program that has facilitated the entry of thousands of legal refugees into the U.S. each year. Many of those affected include Afghans who assisted the American war effort and are now seeking security in the United States. Nasir expressed his disappointment, stating that the decision disregards the interests of both Afghans and the U.S.
The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, established in 1980, was designed to allow vetted individuals fleeing persecution, war, or other threats to immigrate. Trump’s order, effective Monday, allows the Secretary of State and the Homeland Security Secretary to admit refugees on a case-by-case basis only if it aligns with national interests and does not pose a security threat.
At least 40,000 Afghans were in the process of resettlement before the suspension, with refugee flights ceasing the following day. The suspension particularly impacts 10,000 to 15,000 Afghans who had been fully vetted and were prepared for flights, as well as active-duty U.S. service members trying to evacuate their families from Afghanistan.
Mojo, a U.S. Army paratrooper, has been working to secure refugee status for his sister and brother-in-law, both physicians in hiding from the Taliban. Having completed the vetting process, they were close to securing a flight when the executive order was issued, leaving them in a precarious situation.
Shawn VanDiver, president of a coalition aiding Afghan resettlement, criticized the executive order as a betrayal of those who supported the U.S. government and military. He emphasized the emotional toll on individuals caught in this sudden limbo, including former military personnel, judges, and lawyers, many of whom are women facing persecution from the Taliban.
Many Afghans who fled to neighboring Pakistan now face uncertainty as their pathways to the U.S. have been blocked. Reports indicate that Pakistan has expelled hundreds of thousands of Afghans due to rising tensions with the Taliban, leaving many vulnerable to deportation back to Afghanistan.
Advocates are also concerned about the safety of Afghans already in the U.S., as new powers granted to Immigration and Customs Enforcement could lead to rapid deportations. The Biden administration had previously allowed 76,000 evacuated Afghans into the U.S. for humanitarian reasons, with over 90,000 having settled in the country as of 2023.
The resettlement program has seen fluctuating admissions under different administrations, with a significant drop to 11,000 in 2020 under Trump, compared to 100,000 under Biden in the previous year. The program requires a rigorous screening process for applicants, including background checks and medical exams.
Zahra, a U.S. Army sergeant, expressed concern for her family members still in Afghanistan who were partway through the resettlement process when the executive order took effect. She described their situation as stressful and filled with uncertainty.
Mojo, despite his fears, remains hopeful that an exemption for Afghan allies may be granted, reflecting a desire for continued support from the U.S. government for those who assisted in the military mission.