Up to 9,000 Afghan refugees could face deportation following the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, claiming Afghanistan is now safe for return—a claim met with disbelief by experts.
Zia Ghafoori, a former interpreter for U.S. Special Forces and now a U.S. citizen, said the move could amount to a death sentence for those returning. While Ghafoori praised Trump for supporting veterans, he expressed hope the administration wasn’t fully aware of the policy’s consequences for Afghan allies.
The decision has left thousands in limbo, including 13 of Ghafoori’s family members whose planned arrival was halted when flights for Afghans were canceled earlier this year.
The administration framed the decision as part of an effort to refocus the refugee program, stating TPS should only be temporary. At the same time, it welcomed the first group of white South African refugees under a new executive order prioritizing their resettlement—citing unsubstantiated claims of racial violence in South Africa. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem argued that Afghanistan’s security and economy had improved enough to justify ending TPS, a claim heavily disputed by advocates and veterans who say the Taliban’s control still endangers anyone associated with the U.S. mission.
Critics, including war veterans and human rights groups, condemned the move as a betrayal.
Jack McCain, son of the late Senator John McCain, warned that deported Afghans face real threats of death. Others, like Bill Frelick of Human Rights Watch, said the only justification for revoking TPS would be replacing it with permanent protections—something not being offered. Questions were raised about the administration’s sources in claiming Afghanistan is now safe.
Morwari Zafar of Georgetown University challenged the idea that Taliban promises could be trusted, noting that Afghans returning would still be vulnerable to hostility from multiple actors.
Veterans and some Republicans expressed disappointment, with several pointing out the inconsistency of criticizing the Biden administration’s withdrawal while supporting policies that endanger Afghan allies.
Advocacy group CASA has filed a lawsuit against the administration for ending TPS for Afghans and Cameroonians. Meanwhile, Democrats like Rep. Seth Moulton condemned the contrasting treatment, calling it “textbook betrayal” and criticizing the prioritization of white South Africans over loyal wartime partners.
