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By Shannon McDonagh
News Reporter
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Afghans who fled the Taliban's rise to power are urging President Donald Trump to exempt them from his administration's recent suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Why It Matters
When U.S. forces withdrew from Afghanistan in 2021 after two decades, the Taliban quickly regained control, prompting tens of thousands of Afghans to flee. Their governance so far has included strict interpretations of Sharia law, including dress codes and bans on education for women, bans on un-Islamic music and certain forms of art, and restrictions on intervention from NGOs.
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What to Know
An estimated 15,000 refugees are waiting to be relocated to the United States. Many of these individuals were eligible for resettlement under USRAP, a program designed to assist those at risk due to their ties to the U.S. government, media, and humanitarian organizations. However, an executive order issued by Trump, suspending the program for at least 90 days, has halted relocation efforts.
What Is Trump's Executive Order?
Trump's executive order claims the suspension is necessary to evaluate the program's alignment with U.S. interests and protect resources for American citizens.
Flights for resettlement, scheduled for January through April, are being canceled, leaving approximately 2,000 individuals in immediate limbo—potentially stranded in neighboring countries like Pakistan—and many more uncertain about their future.
Will Afghan Children and Families Be Affected?
According to #AfghanEvac, a coalition advocating for Afghan refugees, the suspension affects unaccompanied minors, families of active-duty U.S. military personnel, and Afghans who supported the U.S. mission during the two-decade war.
Flights for thousands of others, including interpreters, contractors, and rights advocates, have been delayed indefinitely. These delays compound fears of retaliation in Afghanistan and unsafe conditions in Pakistan.
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What People Are Saying
Hadisa Bibi, a former university student and women's rights advocate who fled to Pakistan, said she fears for her safety as arrests and deportations in Pakistan increase: "Prior to restrictions on women's education in Afghanistan, I was a university student." She added "Given the risks I face as a women's rights advocate, I was hoping for a swift resettlement to the United States. This would not only allow me to continue my higher education, but also offer a safer and brighter future."
Ahmad Shah, a member of Afghan USRAP Refugees, called on the U.S. to reconsider. "We seek the reversal of the ban on the refugee program on humanitarian grounds," he said.
The U.S. agency overseeing refugee processing and arrival told staff and stakeholders: "Refugee arrival to the United States have been suspended until further notice."
What Happens Next
The suspension's immediate impact is a delay of at least 90 days while the secretaries of Homeland Security and State review the program. An open letter from #AfghanEvac to Congress and the White House has garnered more than 700 signatures, including from veterans who worked alongside Afghan allies.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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