Afghans for Trump Feel Abandoned as U.S. Revokes Refugee Protections

A group of Afghan Americans who once rallied behind Donald Trump in hopes of bringing stability to their homeland now say they feel let down by his administration’s latest move to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghan refugees.

Zoubair Sangi, leader of the "Afghans for Trump" initiative, voiced his community’s concern after the Department of Homeland Security announced it would end TPS for Afghan nationals living in the U.S. The group, formed in the wake of the chaotic 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan, had turned to Trump, feeling his foreign policy offered the best hope for Afghans left behind.

"The reality is that Afghanistan is not safe," Sangi said, pointing to the Taliban’s return and subsequent crackdown on dissent. He disputed claims by the Department of Homeland Security that conditions in Afghanistan have improved, saying, "Anyone who opposed the Taliban or worked with the U.S. government is at risk. Their lives are in grave danger."

Sangi emphasized that women face particularly difficult circumstances under Taliban rule:

• Bans on education and public life without a male escort
• Severe restrictions isolating them within their homes
• A climate of repression and fear for ordinary Afghans

He described the situation as akin to a prison, where people are "essentially under house arrest" and cannot escape.

Despite his frustration, Sangi has not rescinded his support for Trump, instead pleading with him to reconsider the decision to end TPS for Afghans. He credited Trump with refusing to recognize the Taliban or send aid into their hands, but warned against any engagement or deals: "The Taliban mock America, refuse to return our military equipment, and give shelter to terrorists. Engaging with them isn’t America First."

The Department of Homeland Security, led by Secretary Kristi Noem, officially terminated TPS for Afghan nationals on Monday, affecting an estimated 9,000 individuals, many of whom fled during the U.S. withdrawal. The current protected status is set to expire on May 20, with the program formally ending July 12. Noem argued that Afghanistan’s “improved security situation” and a “stabilizing economy” no longer justified the emergency status, saying the administration aims to restore TPS to its original, temporary intent and address fraud or national security risks within the immigration system.

TPS, established to protect nationals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other emergencies, was extended to Afghans by President Biden after the Taliban takeover. Although many Afghans who aided U.S. forces qualified for Special Immigrant Visas, thousands more—especially former Afghan officials and those connected to U.S. projects—relied on TPS during the evacuation chaos.

Former House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul pushed back against the administration’s assessment of Afghanistan’s security. He urged officials to avoid rescinding protections for Afghans holding SIVs or humanitarian parole, warning, "The Taliban have made their thirst for retribution clear. Until they change, it’s critical we safeguard those who helped our troops."

The White House and Department of Homeland Security have not yet publicly responded to requests for comment regarding these concerns. As the deadline approaches, the Afghan community and their supporters are left grappling with growing anxiety over possible deportation to a country many still view as dangerously unstable.