Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The Middle East Institute reports that former U.S. allies in Afghanistan, fearing persecution, continue to live in hiding.
The Middle East Institute has reported that many Afghan former translators and assistants who worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan continue to live in hiding, fearing retaliation from the Taliban. These individuals, who assisted U.S. forces during the war, are still facing the threat of harassment and violence. Despite the claims by the Trump administration that the situation in Afghanistan is conducive to the return of Afghan refugees, many are still unable to safely go back.
As of early 2025, around 110,000 Afghan refugees remain in Afghanistan, while 90,000 others are stranded in third-party countries. These individuals have already undergone long and rigorous vetting processes for resettlement but continue to wait for visa approval or relocation. The Trump administration took a significant step by suspending the Afghan refugee resettlement program, further complicating the fate of these vulnerable people.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has asserted that conditions in Afghanistan are stable enough for refugees to return. In April, the DHS officially revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghan nationals, including those who had previously been granted refugee status. This decision followed consultations between DHS officials and the U.S. State Department, who concluded that Afghanistan no longer met the legal criteria for offering protection to Afghan refugees.
Since August 2021, nearly 180,000 Afghan nationals have been admitted to the United States, with some receiving Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), which grant them a pathway to permanent residence. However, the Trump administration views the return of Afghan refugees from the U.S. as a national security necessity, further fueling concerns about the resettlement process’s integrity.
Security concerns have been raised about the screening of Afghan migrants. A 2022 report from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General noted that over 79,000 Afghan migrants had been accepted into the U.S. between July 2021 and January 2022. However, accusations were made about insufficient vetting, with over 1,400 individuals identified with possible links to ISIS-Khorasan, raising alarms about national security.
The Middle East Institute also highlights that the decision to expel Afghan refugees could be linked to recent interactions with the Taliban, including the release of several American hostages. The Trump administration’s push for cooperation with the Taliban on intelligence matters, particularly against terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan, might be influencing this policy. Furthermore, the U.S. has pressured the Taliban to recover and return leftover weapons, indicating the broader political strategy tied to these refugee decisions.
The situation of Afghan refugees remains a tragic and complex issue, with significant humanitarian, political, and security challenges. While some actions, such as the suspension of refugee resettlement programs, may be seen as necessary by the Trump administration for national security, they have also left thousands of vulnerable individuals without clear prospects for safety or resettlement.
The ongoing displacement of Afghans both within the country and abroad emphasizes the dire need for coordinated international efforts to address the crisis. As the world grapples with the consequences of the U.S. withdrawal and Taliban rule, the future of Afghan refugees remains uncertain, and the international community must work together to find sustainable solutions.