Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Thousands of Afghan refugees, who risked their lives aiding U.S. forces during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, now face an uncertain future as former President Donald Trump’s executive order suspends refugee admissions to the United States. The policy, which came into effect on January 27, halts the relocation of 10,000 Afghans already approved for resettlement, while tens of thousands of other applications remain frozen, according to the non-profit group #AfghanEvac.
This decision affects a wide range of applicants, including former Afghan soldiers, government employees, and their families, many of whom fled to neighboring Pakistan after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The suspension is a setback for those hoping to escape Taliban reprisals, which have been particularly harsh toward women and minorities under the group’s strict interpretation of Islamic law.
While the U.S. government continues to process a special visa program for individuals who directly assisted American forces, the broader refugee scheme has been halted. The freeze comes amid rising fears that the situation for Afghans in Pakistan has worsened. Pakistan’s government has ramped up its campaign to expel undocumented Afghans, further complicating the already fragile status of refugees waiting for relocation.
For many, returning to Afghanistan is not an option. Despite claims by the Taliban of an “amnesty,” there have been consistent reports of summary executions and disappearances of former Afghan officials, military personnel, and anyone linked to the previous government. The United Nations has condemned these actions, and the International Criminal Court has opened investigations into potential crimes against humanity, particularly those involving gender-based persecution.
Among those stranded is Zahra, a 27-year-old former Afghan defense ministry worker, who had sold her belongings and was preparing for her flight to the U.S. when Trump’s executive order halted her journey. “We stood with them for the past 20 years,” she said, “and now they’ve turned their backs on us.”
Women, in particular, face dire circumstances under Taliban rule. Schools and universities remain closed to girls, and women are banned from many aspects of public life. “I had a lot of hopes for my sisters, that they should graduate and pursue education. Now all my hopes are shattered,” said a 23-year-old woman whose family is seeking resettlement in the U.S.
The situation is growing more desperate. One former Afghan journalist, now in Pakistan, described his current plight: “There is no life left for me. No peace, no future, no visa, no home, no work—nothing.” With the future of Afghan refugees uncertain, their dreams of safety and security in the U.S. have been dashed, leaving them stuck in a dangerous limbo between the possibility of a new life abroad and the reality of returning to a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
