Afghanistan Peace Campaignif passed, the bill would prevent eligible Afghans from being deported and allow them to continue living and working in the United States.
A group of Democratic and Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives has introduced bipartisan legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals.
if passed, the bill would prevent eligible Afghans from being deported and allow them to continue living and working in the United States.
Under the proposed legislation, eligible Afghan nationals currently residing in the U.S. would remain protected from deportation and retain work authorization. The extension would remain in effect until July 1, 2029.
Rep. Jason Crow said:”This bill would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals through July 2029. TPS allows foreign nationals fleeing violence, conflict, and instability to live and work in the United States.”
Meanwhile, The Washington Post has reported that some Afghan immigrants and human rights advocates in the United States have expressed concern over a federal government plan to interview about 800 Afghan immigrants.
According to the report, the interviews will include questions about applicants’ identities, their integration into American society, and the immigration status of their family members. The information collected could be retained for up to 15 years.
Mohammad Khan Talebi Mohammadzai, a migrant rights advocate, said:”Legally, such interviews are permitted under U.S. immigration law. However, they must be conducted in accordance with privacy protections, non-discrimination principles, proportional data collection, and safeguards for migrants’ legal rights.”
Some analysts also say that Afghans with pending immigration cases in the United States should not become entangled in political issues and that Washington should facilitate their relocation process.
Mohammad Aslam Danishmal, a university professor, said: “For Afghans waiting for U.S. visas in Qatar, Pakistan, or other countries in the region, the U.S. government should seriously address their cases. These issues should not be politicized.”
The development comes after the U.S. government previously suspended the processing of all green card (permanent residency) applications from nationals of 19 countries, including Afghanistan, whose entry into the United States has been restricted.