Afghanistan Peace CampaignDonald Trump’s suspension of the refugee program has caused significant concern among Afghan citizens waiting in other countries.
Shawn VanDiver, the head of AfghanEvac, the main coalition working on the resettlement of Afghans with the US government, has warned that the lack of support for these individuals will put their lives in greater danger.
According to VanDiver, failing to support these individuals could undermine trust in US forces in future wars.
Michael McCaul, former chairman of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, has also called on Donald Trump to lift the suspension of Afghan refugee admissions, particularly for those who worked alongside US forces in Afghanistan.
Regarding this issue, Michael McCaul stated: ” We promised them we would protect them when they worked with our servicemen and women in Afghanistan. These are the interpreters, the ones who are right alongside our combat veterans. They have these special immigrant visas and P1, P2 and it’s my- my view, that they should be allowed to go forward with the SIV program.”
Donald Trump’s suspension of the refugee program has caused significant concern among Afghan citizens waiting in other countries for decisions on their asylum cases.
According to a report by the Associated Press, after the issuance of this order, many former Afghan colleagues of US forces who were awaiting relocation to the United States have faced an uncertain future.
“We are stranded with no money in our pockets. We ask the government to create a proper plan so we can proceed with our journey,” Shafi, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, told TOLOnews.
“The US State Department must work with both Islamabad and Doha to ensure necessary cooperation to reduce the difficulties these Afghan refugees are facing,” said Mohammad Khan Mohammadi, an activist for migrant rights.
Previously, the US vice president, in an interview with an American media outlet, defended Donald Trump’s order to suspend the Afghan refugee relocation program, stating that the security background checks on some applicants had not been fully completed before their entry into the United States.