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Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings

June 26, 2025

By Leo Shane III

Military Times

Officials from AfghanEvac and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America are recruiting veterans to travel to immigration hearings as a show of support for Afghan allies who served alongside U.S. military forces. (Staff Sgt. Joshua Magbanua/Air Force)

A pair of advocacy groups is launching a new effort to bring veterans into courthouse immigration hearings involving Afghan allies as a sign of support and reassurance for their roles helping American military forces.

The program — spearheaded by AfghanEvac and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America — comes one month after White House officials ended temporary protected status for thousands of Afghan citizens living in the United States, casting their long-term immigration hopes into doubt.

Advocates have said as many as 9,000 refugees could be deported in coming months because of that change. Others with different legal statuses could face similar immigration challenges.

Veterans groups in recent weeks have rallied around those individuals, saying their service alongside American troops during the two decades of war in Afghanistan earned them better treatment and a clearer path to citizenship in America.

“They served with us. They protected us. So no one who stood with us in war should stand alone in court,” said Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac. “Our allies are getting snatched up in court while following the rules. This is wrong and un-American.”

The new Battle Buddies program asks veterans to sign up to attend public immigration court hearings, escort Afghan allies into and out of court and “show silent support” for individuals involved.

The effort will put veterans into the center of the country’s tumultuous immigration debate, which has pitted left-leaning groups against both the White House and conservative activists focused on reducing illegal and legal immigration options into America.

“We know this work is heavy, but we are not alone,” Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of IAVA, said in a statement announcing the program. “And neither are our Afghan allies.”

Last week, one such individual — Sayed Naser, who assisted U.S. troops working in Afghanistan during the war — was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in San Diego after attending a previously scheduled hearing on his pending asylum case.

His case has made national headlines and served as an impetus for the new program, organizers said.

VanDiver said the veteran volunteers will not be providing any legal arguments or intervention, but will be given advance instruction on how to take notes of the proceedings and ensure that the Afghans involved are connected to additional resources if needed.

“We must keep the promises we made as a nation and ensure that those who are eligible for immigration to the United States are given a fair chance to realize their American dream,” organizers wrote in their program launch announcement.

Individuals interested in volunteering for the court visits, or Afghan immigrants looking for help with upcoming court apperances, can learn more through the groups’ website.

Advocates recruit vets to attend Afghan allies’ immigration hearings
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Washington signals policy shift on Afghanistan during UN Security Council session

June 24, 2025
Ariana News
June 24, 2025

However, other Council members urged caution in dealing with the Islamic Emirate.

 

The United Nations Security Council held a special session this week to assess the situation in Afghanistan, with international stakeholders offering sharply contrasting views on engagement with the Islamic Emirate-led administration.

The meeting comes amid growing concern over humanitarian conditions, the erosion of women’s rights, and the international community’s fractured approach to the future of the country.

Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), presented the UN’s newly formalized “Mosaic Strategy,” aimed at focused engagement without legitimizing the current political order.

“The goal of this focused engagement is to support the emergence of an Afghanistan that lives in peace with itself and its neighbors, adheres to international obligations, reintegrates into the global community, and avoids a return to cycles of violence,” Otunbayeva told the Security Council.

She warned that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) continued ban on girls’ education threatens to deepen Afghanistan’s international isolation. “Policies that restrict the rights of women and girls represent a major obstacle to Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international system,” she said.

Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, echoed those concerns, stating that women’s full participation is essential to achieving lasting peace and legitimacy.

“Without full and active inclusion of women, no sustainable stability or real progress can be achieved in political or humanitarian efforts,” she noted.

Amid this backdrop, U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea confirmed that Washington is reassessing its policy on Afghanistan.

“Nearly four years have passed since the Taliban (IEA) took control, yet the situation remains dire,” she said.

Shea emphasized that the Trump administration’s renewed strategy will center on securing U.S. interests, including the protection of American citizens, the mitigation of terrorism threats, and the release of detained Americans.

“Our approach to assistance has not been sustainable and has failed to yield the intended results,” Shea stated. “It is now time for the Taliban to perform.”

Her remarks signaled a shift toward more conditional, outcome-based engagement and away from open-ended commitments.

However, other Council members urged caution in dealing with the Islamic Emirate.

China’s envoy Geng Shuang called for a more pragmatic approach, warning against politicizing humanitarian aid and cautioning that women’s rights should not be the sole barometer of international engagement.

“We must respect Afghanistan’s traditions and realities,” Geng said, “and avoid imposing excessively strict demands.”

Qatar’s representative announced plans to host two key working group meetings under the Doha Process from June 30 to July 1. These sessions—on counter-narcotics and private sector development—will include representatives of the IEA, suggesting an ongoing track of technical engagement even amid diplomatic caution.

The Council session laid bare the growing divisions over how best to handle Afghanistan’s future: whether to isolate the IEA-led government over human rights violations, or to engage pragmatically to maintain stability and prevent a humanitarian collapse.

Washington signals policy shift on Afghanistan during UN Security Council session
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UN warns of severe Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

June 24, 2025
Khaama Press

UN officials report Afghanistan faces severe humanitarian needs, with widespread hunger, malnutrition, water shortages, and educational restrictions, especially for girls.

Joyce Msuya, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the ongoing and severe humanitarian needs facing the people of Afghanistan. Speaking at the UN Security Council on Monday, June 23, she outlined how decades of conflict, structural poverty, climate crises, and the severe restrictions on women and girls have worsened the country’s crisis.

Msuya noted that Afghanistan’s maternal mortality rate is more than 2.5 times the global average, while widespread drought continues to threaten large parts of the country. She also emphasized that one in five Afghans faces hunger, and three million people are severely malnourished, with nearly 3.7 million children unable to attend school.

Among those affected by educational restrictions, Msuya pointed out that 2.2 million girls over the age of 11 are prohibited from attending school due to the Taliban’s policies. These ongoing barriers significantly impact the future of Afghanistan’s youth, especially girls, who face the brunt of the educational crisis.

Msuya also warned that Kabul may become the first capital city in modern history to face severe water shortages. She revealed that groundwater levels in Kabul have dropped by 30 meters, and nearly half of the city’s wells have run dry, exacerbating the growing water crisis.

In her remarks, Msuya stressed the vital role of Afghanistan’s women in humanitarian operations. Despite facing numerous threats and restrictions, Afghan women continue to serve on the frontlines of humanitarian aid, reaching marginalized communities that would otherwise be left without support.

Msuya further highlighted that the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund has recently allocated $2.4 million to local organizations, including those often overlooked. This financial support is crucial to maintaining vital services amid ongoing challenges.

Dorothy Shea, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, also addressed the meeting, stating that the Afghanistan’s people continue to suffer from poverty, unemployment, lack of basic services, and the impacts of natural disasters. She added that these issues are further aggravated by the restrictive policies of the Taliban. The international community faces a growing challenge in responding to Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.

UN warns of severe Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
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UN Envoy: Girls’ Education Ban Isolating Afghanistan from the World

June 24, 2025
Mursaleen Muwahed
Web Journalist, Online content writer.
Tolo News
23 June 2024

Otunbayeva also reported to the UN Security Council that over 600,000 people have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan so far.

The Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that the unacceptable situation of Afghan women and girls must not be forgotten.

Rosa Otunbayeva, speaking at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, said that the ban on girls continuing their education beyond the sixth grade is isolating Afghanistan from the rest of the world.

During her address, she once again urged the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to lift the restrictions imposed on women and girls and to restore their right to education.

Otunbayeva also highlighted the tightening restrictions on the country’s media, saying, “Freedom of expression and the environment for private media have become increasingly restricted.”

Addressing the security situation, the UN representative said the overall number of security incidents in Afghanistan remains low. However, she added that neighboring countries continue to express concern about the presence of ISIS in Afghanistan.

She told the Security Council: “Overall, the number of security incidents has remained low; however, neighboring countries still express concern about the presence of ISIS-Khorasan and other groups.”

Otunbayeva also reported to the UN Security Council that over 600,000 people have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan so far.

She said: “Already, more than 600,000 Afghans have returned from neighbouring Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran this year. Given the concerning developments in the Region, the UN agencies are preparing for potential cross-border movement from Iran. Returns from Iran alone in the past few days have been over 10,000 per day. Communities and the de facto authorities have made huge efforts to absorb returnees, but without international assistance, there are limits to safe, orderly and peaceful returns.”

UN Envoy: Girls’ Education Ban Isolating Afghanistan from the World
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Muttaqi Criticizes US Over Frozen Afghan Assets, Calls for Release

June 24, 2025
Liluma Qadiry
Tolo News
24 June 2025

Muttaqi stressed that the US decision has severely disrupted the natural course of Afghanistan’s economic development.

The acting foreign minister of Afghanistan, Amir Khan Muttaqi, criticized the United States for freezing Afghanistan’s foreign reserves, calling the move illegal and demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the country’s assets.

Muttaqi stressed that the US decision has severely disrupted the natural course of Afghanistan’s economic development.

He also urged member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to fulfill their humanitarian and Islamic responsibilities by utilizing all available means to help lift the sanctions.

In his statement, Muttaqi said: “After two decades of war in Afghanistan, the US has frozen the national wealth of the Afghan people, creating major challenges for the country’s natural economic growth. I once again call on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and its member states to ensure the release of Afghanistan’s frozen central bank assets without further delay or obstacles.”

Referring to Afghanistan’s strategic location in the heart of Asia, Muttaqi noted that the country has the potential to become a vital hub for trade and transit among Islamic nations.

He added: “Afghanistan, recognized as the heart of Asia, is ready to serve as a key gateway for transit, trade, and economic connectivity among Islamic countries. We are prepared to play a constructive role within the framework of the OIC Strategic Economic Agenda in areas such as regional connectivity, energy, logistics, and investment.”

Economic experts believe that if Afghanistan focuses on domestic production and exports during this crisis, it could ease some of the pressure resulting from international sanctions.

Economic analyst Mir Shakir Yaqubi told TOLOnews: “In order to mitigate the negative effects of sanctions and global restrictions imposed on Afghanistan, the government must fulfill certain essential responsibilities. One of these is enhancing domestic production capacities. Achieving this requires cooperation from neighboring countries so that Afghanistan can at least play an effective role in transport, transit, and global trade systems. Additionally, alongside boosting production capacities, export volumes must also be increased.”

This comes more than four years after Afghanistan’s foreign assets were frozen, with no significant steps taken by the international community thus far.

Previously, a deputy minister of the Ministry of Economy announced that Afghanistan is working to establish joint banks with China, Russia, and Iran to reduce the impact of banking sanctions.

Muttaqi Criticizes US Over Frozen Afghan Assets, Calls for Release
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UN Debates Engagement with Islamic Emirate: Mosaic Plan in Focus

June 24, 2025
Bibi Amina Hakimi
TOLOnews’ Reporter
24 June 2025

China and Russia have reiterated their calls for the international community to engage with the Islamic Emirate.

The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has introduced a new initiative called the “Mosaic Plan” during a Security Council meeting. The primary goal of this plan is to facilitate Afghanistan’s gradual integration into the international order.

Roza Otunbayeva emphasized that the UN aims to design a framework for more cohesive, coordinated, and structured engagement that enables dialogue between the international community and the Islamic Emirate without conferring formal recognition or normalizing the current situation.

Otunbayeva stated: “The Comprehensive Approach involves working groups and a mosaic of key issues. I stress the approach does not seek to normalize the status quo, but rather ensure that multiple key issues of concern – in particular upholding the country’s international obligations – remain at the core of engagement efforts.”

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said: “We welcome UN efforts, including the Doha process, aimed at structured engagement with the de facto authorities. Pakistan was among the first to call for sustained engagement and has proposed a broad road map for normalisation.”

China and Russia have reiterated their calls for the international community to engage with the Islamic Emirate. China’s representative urged the UN Security Council to take further steps to exempt Islamic Emirate officials from travel sanctions to facilitate interactions with the interim government.

The US representative indicated that the country’s policy toward Afghanistan is under review.

Geng Shuang, China’s representative to the United Nations, said: “The Security Council should promptly resume the general travel ban exemption for officials of the interim government of Afghanistan.”

Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said: “Russia supports a realistic and comprehensive approach toward Afghanistan. We have repeatedly emphasized that this approach must be based on objective analysis and balanced assessment of the situation.”

“The United States’ Afghanistan policy is currently under review. However, President Trump and Secretary Rubio have made clear that our focus in Afghanistan has narrowed. Protecting US citizens, including mitigating terrorist threats and securing the release of all detained Americans, are our top priorities in Afghanistan,” said Dorothy Shea, acting US Representative.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of UN Women, along with representatives from the United Kingdom and France, criticized the ongoing restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, stated: “Since I briefed the Council on Afghanistan nine months ago, the reality for Afghan women and girls has only grown more dire. Not a single restriction has been reversed. Repression has become more systematic and have calcified.”

“Since our last council briefing on Afghanistan. Another school year has begun, with secondary schools and higher education remaining closed to women and girls,” said James Kariuki, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the UN.

Qatar’s representative to the UN emphasized the importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan and announced that Qatar will host two Doha process working group meetings from June 30 to July 1, with the participation of Islamic Emirate representatives.

Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s representative to the UN, stated: “The State of Qatar eagerly anticipates hosting the third meeting of the Counter-Narcotics Working Group and the second meeting of the Private Sector Working Group under the UN-led Doha process on Afghanistan, scheduled from June 30 to July 1, with the participation of representatives from the interim Afghan government, countries involved in the Doha process, and technical experts.”

The UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan was held amid ongoing calls from Islamic Emirate officials for representation in such discussions.

UN Debates Engagement with Islamic Emirate: Mosaic Plan in Focus
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US House Passes Bill to Block Aid to Islamic Emirate

June 24, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
24 June 2025

Representative Tim Burchett urged the US Senate to also pass the bill and send it to President Donald Trump as soon as possible.

The United States House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at prohibiting the Islamic Emirate from accessing US aid.

Representative Tim Burchett urged the US Senate to also pass the bill and send it to President Donald Trump as soon as possible.

Burchett said that the US had sent over $5 billion in cash to Kabul after the Islamic Emirate retook power.

“Defund the Taliban just passed unanimous. Thank you all so much everybody all across the country. Y’all been just incredibly supportive of this thing. It’s been over a year-long journey now. We got to get it over to the Senate … and let’s get this thing passed, $40 million a week, over $5 billion now we think has gone to the Taliban,” he said.

However, the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Economy has denied interference in international humanitarian aid, stating that such assistance is delivered directly by United Nations agencies.

Abdul Rahman Habib, the ministry’s spokesperson, said: “Humanitarian assistance is a key activity for the UN, aimed at helping people during crises and reducing economic hardships. Since the beginning, it has been provided directly by UN agencies.”

On another note, economic experts have criticized the politicization of humanitarian aid and stressed that the Islamic Emirate should focus more on making the country self-reliant.

Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economic expert, stated: “Humanitarian aid can only alleviate extreme poverty, but it cannot eliminate it. Therefore, it is essential that both the international community and the United States continue their humanitarian support for Afghanistan to prevent a humanitarian crisis, while the Islamic Emirate must make serious efforts to create a favorable environment for attracting further investment.”

On January 11 last year, Tim Burchett introduced this bill to Congress, saying that it would require the US Department of State to develop a policy opposing any foreign aid to the Islamic Emirate.

US House Passes Bill to Block Aid to Islamic Emirate
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UN calls for protection of Afghan migrants amid Iran-Israel tensions

June 23, 2025
Khaama Press

Amid rising Tehran-Tel Aviv tensions, Bennett called for protecting vulnerable Afghan migrants in Iran from potential harm and violence.

On the ninth day of conflict between Tehran and Tel Aviv, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett urged all parties to protect Afghan migrants in Iran, warning of serious risks to their safety and calling for immediate humanitarian safeguards. The appeal came through a post on X on Saturday, June 21, where Bennett voiced growing concern over the migrant community’s safety.

Bennett emphasized that both Iran and Israel must exercise restraint and comply with international law. He warned that hostilities could threaten non-combatants and stressed the need for safeguards to protect those at heightened risk .

According to Iranian health authorities, three Afghan migrants—identified as Hafiz Bostani, Abdulwali, and Habibullah Jamshidi—have been confirmed killed in recent cross-border strikes. Their deaths have further fueled concerns about civilian casualties in the broader region.

Amid ongoing airstrikes by Israel, Afghan migrants in Iran find themselves uniquely vulnerable. Human rights observers say that migrants lack the legal protections necessary to shield them from collateral damage during military operations.

Bennett urged both Iran and Israel to ensure humanitarian safeguards are in place and emphasized that protecting civilians—including displaced migrants and refugees—must be a core priority in conflict zones.

This call from Bennett underscores the complex and evolving threats faced by Afghan migrants amid regional escalation. With the Iran–Israel conflict intensifying, experts warn host countries must urgently reinforce protections for vulnerable populations. Failure to act could result in further loss of civilian lives and exacerbate existing humanitarian crises.

UN calls for protection of Afghan migrants amid Iran-Israel tensions
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Amnesty calls on Pakistan to halt forced deportation of Afghan Refugees

June 23, 2025
Khaama Press

Amnesty International urges Pakistan to stop deporting Afghan refugees, renew PoR cards, and uphold international laws protecting those seeking safety.

Amnesty International on Friday called on Pakistan to immediately stop deporting Afghan refugees and extend their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. The call was made on World Refugee Day as part of an appeal to respect international law.

The human rights group stated that Pakistan has forcibly returned over 1,080,312 Afghan refugees since October 2023. Amnesty emphasized that such deportations violate the international legal principle of non-refoulement, which protects refugees from being returned to unsafe countries.

According to Amnesty, around 1.4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan hold PoR cards, which will expire in the next ten days. Amnesty urged the Pakistani government to renew these cards immediately to prevent further insecurity and displacement.

Amnesty warned that PoR holders face serious risks if forced to return to Afghanistan. The organization cited credible reports indicating they could face extrajudicial killings, torture, and gender-based persecution upon repatriation.

Amnesty’s report also raised concerns over the psychological and social stress experienced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan due to prolonged uncertainty. The group highlighted the need for international cooperation to resolve this humanitarian crisis.

With the Afghan refugee crisis still unfolding, Pakistan faces mounting pressure from the international community to honor its commitments to refugee protection. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has similarly urged Islamabad to allow more time for refugees to secure their legal status and safety.

Experts say that unless Pakistan extends PoR cards and halts deportations, vulnerable refugees will continue to face life-threatening dangers.

Amnesty calls on Pakistan to halt forced deportation of Afghan Refugees
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UNSC to Hold Quarterly Briefing on Afghanistan on June 23

June 23, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
22 June 2025
The council’s statement said that following the public session, a closed-door meeting will take place.
The UN Security Council will hold its second quarterly meeting on the situation in Afghanistan in two days.

The main speakers will include Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, and the head of UN Women, who will address the situation in Afghanistan.

The council’s statement said that following the public session, a closed-door meeting will take place. The statement reads: “On Monday morning (23 June), the Security Council will convene for an open briefing on Afghanistan. Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Roza Otunbayeva, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, and UN Women Executive Director Sima Sami Bahous are expected to brief. Some regional member states may participate in the meeting under rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure. Closed consultations are scheduled to follow the open briefing.”

Political analyst Gul Mohammad Sediqi Mohammadi said: “If the Security Council wishes to bring reforms to Afghanistan and integrate the Afghan government into the international community, it must continue engagement with the caretaker Afghan government.”

The statement said that in addition to addressing Afghan refugees and the threat of terrorism, the meeting will focus on ensuring the “full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in society” and the restrictions imposed upon them.

The council said: “Bahous and other speakers are expected to call for the equal, full, and meaningful participation of women in Afghan society, and describe the devastating impact that the Taliban’s policies continue to have on the rights of women and girls. Bahous may underscore the importance of centering women’s participation and rights in all diplomatic engagements with the Taliban.”

Another political analyst, Idris Mohammadi Zazai, commented: “To resolve these problems and escape the economic and political crises, the Islamic Emirate and the international community must make mutual concessions that they currently find impossible to accept.”

Roza Otunbayeva is expected to update Council members about the next steps in the Doha process and the scheduling of working group meetings for that initiative.
According to the Council’s statement, the Doha process working groups on narcotics control and Afghanistan’s private sector will meet on 30 June and 1 July in Doha.

The statement continues: “Otunbayeva is expected to update members on the next steps in the Doha process, which was launched in May 2023 to advance a political roadmap for more effective and coherent international engagement with the Taliban. On 30 June and 1 July, two working groups—one on counter-narcotics and the other on the private sector—are scheduled to convene in Doha as part of this process.”

Political analyst Aziz Maraj said: “Such meetings have neither benefitted Afghanistan nor will. It will simply feature repetitive speeches and fabricated reports.”

The Islamic Emirate has not made an official comment but has rejected the UN Secretary-General’s quarterly report on Afghanistan.

This is the second quarterly meeting of the UN Security Council on Afghanistan in 2025. Two more are scheduled before the end of the year.

UNSC to Hold Quarterly Briefing on Afghanistan on June 23
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