ISLAMABAD — A group of Afghans who escaped their country following the Taliban takeover is urgently appealing to U.S. President Donald Trump for exemption from a recent order halting the resettlement of refugees. Many of these individuals assert that they endangered their lives in support of American troops while they were stationed in Afghanistan.
Estimates indicate that around 15,000 Afghan nationals are currently awaiting approval for entry into the United States while in Pakistan. This delay stems from a U.S. government initiative designed to aid Afghans who face heightened threats from the Taliban due to their roles as allies to the U.S. government, journalists, humanitarian workers, and human rights activists, particularly after the withdrawal of U.S. troops in 2021 that led to the Taliban’s resurgence.
Shortly after taking office, the Trump administration declared a suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program effective January 27th for a minimum of three months. During this timeframe, it was announced that the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, would evaluate the situation and provide a recommendation to the president regarding the program’s future.
As a result of this suspension, many refugees who had previously been granted approval to travel to the U.S. have had their arrangements abruptly terminated. This includes over 1,600 Afghans who were set to relocate, many of whom served directly alongside American military personnel, along with the relatives of those currently serving.
Pakistan’s authorities have not responded to the recent development, but they have consistently urged the international community to make decisions regarding the fates of 1.45 million Afghan refugees currently in their territory, emphasizing that their presence cannot continue indefinitely.
In an open letter addressed to Trump, members of an advocacy group called Afghan USRAP Refugees have expressed their desperation. They emphasized the life-threatening risks they face as perceived traitors by the Taliban and underscored that returning to Afghanistan would likely result in severe consequences such as arrest, torture, or even death. Moreover, the situation in Pakistan has increasingly become volatile, with reports of arbitrary arrests and deportations causing further distress.
Among those affected is Hadisa Bibi, a former student who fled Afghanistan just last month. She revealed her fears, stating that she felt imprisoned in her own room due to the tense atmosphere after witnessing several Afghans being detained by local authorities. Bibi, who aspired to continue her education as a women’s rights advocate, expressed her hope for a prompt resettlement to the United States to escape her circumstances.
Similarly, Mahnoosh Monir shared her harrowing experience. Once a medical student, her pursuit of education was abruptly halted by the Taliban. After working as a teacher at a language center that was subsequently shut down, she fled to Pakistan seeking safety. “Afghanistan is no longer a place for any girl or woman to survive,” she declared, expressing her disillusionment with the recent suspension of the U.S. program.
Both Bibi and Monir have applied for relocation and are enduring an agonizing wait. The already lengthy visa process for Afghans proving their vulnerability to persecution has only elongated due to the current situation. With the halt in the U.S. program, many are left in a troubling limbo.
In an emotional interview, another Afghan, Farzana Umeed, shared her trauma regarding the suspension. “I wept when I learned the news,” she recounted, highlighting her precarious existence in Pakistan and the severe risks of returning to Afghanistan. Umeed, like many others, is left contemplating her uncertain future and urged Trump to reconsider the decision to suspend the refugee program.
Moreover, journalists from Afghanistan, who have escaped Taliban oppression, are said to experience extreme anxiety under the looming threat of arrest and harassment in Pakistan. A media watchdog has called on the Pakistani government to safeguard these individuals, noting that their visa renewals come with high fees and limited durations, further complicating their status.
According to the Afghan USRAP Refugees group, many Afghans had been scheduled for flights to the U.S. in the upcoming months following interviews with the International Organization for Migration and U.S. Embassy staff. The group is actively advocating for the reversal of the refugee program suspension on humanitarian grounds, expressing hope that the situation will change soon.
In addition to the circumstances in Pakistan, it is reported that over 3,200 Afghans are also residing in Albania. This NATO member initially agreed to host Afghan refugees for a year while awaiting their final resettlement in the U.S., and has since committed to providing extended support if delays occur.
