Reaction to Trump’s Travel Ban: Calls to Exempt P-2 Cases

June 9, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
9 June 2025

They are asking Trump to exempt P-1 and P-2 categories of immigration cases from the executive order.

As the full implementation of Donald Trump’s new executive order banning travel to the United States for citizens of 12 countries moves forward, some individuals with pending US immigration cases are calling for a reconsideration of the decision.

They are asking Trump to exempt P-1 and P-2 categories of immigration cases from the executive order.

Eid Mohammad Hakimi, an Afghan holding a P-2 case, said: “The enforcement of the travel ban and the suspension of P-1 and P-2 cases for Afghans has put Afghan citizens in third countries in a completely uncertain situation. We request the US government to exempt P-1 and P-2 cases from this ban.”

Meanwhile, Sean Van Diver, head of the Afghan Evac organization, said at a gathering in front of the White House that 200,000 Afghans have been relocated to the United States over the past four years, while another 200,000 are still waiting for the process to be completed. He urged American officials to honor their commitments.

Shawn Van Diver also stated: “We must unite and defend our rights. The promises made to us must be fulfilled. This country must be held accountable for the commitments it made to us and to our allies.”

At the same time, large protests have erupted in several states against Trump’s immigration policies.

Due to these protests, the US president ordered the deployment of national guard forces in some cities.

Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, commented: “Do we need the National Guard? Looking at the situation tonight, it seems this is getting out of control. Before giving a precise answer, I need to understand their capabilities and role. However, we have strong police forces in Southern California that always work together.”

In cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and others, the protests turned violent, leading to dozens of arrests by police.

This comes as Trump issued a new executive order on Wednesday, banning visa issuance for citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Myanmar, Chad, Eritrea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Guinea.

Reaction to Trump’s Travel Ban: Calls to Exempt P-2 Cases
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The Taliban leader slams Trump’s travel ban on Afghans and calls the US an ‘oppressor’

June 7, 2025
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
June 7, 2025

The top Taliban leader on Saturday slammed President Donald Trump’s travel ban on Afghans, calling the United States an oppressor, as Afghanistan’s rulers seek greater engagement with the international community.

The comments from Hibatullah Akhundzada marked the first public reaction from the Taliban since the Trump administration this week moved to bar citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, from entering the U.S.

Trump’s executive order largely applies to Afghans hoping to resettle in the U.S. permanently, as well as those hoping to go to America temporarily, including for university studies.

Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banned women from public places and education for women and girls beyond the sixth grade. And though they have so far failed to gain recognition as the country’s official government, the Taliban have diplomatic relations with several countries, including China and Russia.

A message from the leader

Akhundzada released his message on the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, also known as the “Feast of Sacrifice,” from the southern city of Kandahar, where he has set up base but is rarely seen in public.

In a 45-minute audio recording shared by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on X, Akhundzada denounced the Trump administration for imposing “restrictions on people.”

“Citizens from 12 countries are barred from entering their land — and Afghans are not allowed either,” he said. “Why? Because they claim the Afghan government has no control over its people and that people are leaving the country. So, oppressor! Is this what you call friendship with humanity?”

He blamed the U.S. for the deaths of Palestinian women and children in Gaza, linking this allegation to the travel ban. “You are committing acts that are beyond tolerance,” he added.

The Trump administration says the measure is meant to protect U.S. citizens from “aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.”

Trump also suspended a core refugee program in January, all but ending support for Afghans who had allied with the U.S. and leaving tens of thousands of them stranded.

The Taliban offer amnesty

Also on Saturday, the Taliban prime minister said that all Afghans who fled the country after the collapse of the former Western-backed government are free to return home, promising they would be safe.

“Afghans who have left the country should return to their homeland,” Mohammad Hassan Akhund said. “Nobody will harm them.”

“Come back to your ancestral land and live in an atmosphere of peace,” the Taliban prime minister said in a message on X and instructed officials to ensure returning refugees were given shelter and support.

He also used the occasion to criticize the media for making what he said were “false judgements” about Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers and their policies.

“We must not allow the torch of the Islamic system to be extinguished,” he said. “The media should avoid false judgments and should not minimize the accomplishments of the system. While challenges exist, we must remain vigilant.”

The return of the Taliban rule

The Taliban swept into the capital of Kabul and seized most of Afghanistan in a blitz in mid-August 2021 as the U.S. and NATO forces were in the last weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war.

The offensive prompted a mass exodus, with tens of thousands of Afghans thronging the airport in chaotic scenes, hoping for a flight out on the U.S. military airlift. People also fled across the border, to neighboring Iran and Pakistan.

Among those escaping the new Taliban rulers were also former government officials, journalists, activists, those who had helped the U.S. during its campaign against the Taliban.

Separately, Afghans in neighboring Pakistan who are awaiting resettlement are also dealing with a deportation drive by the Islamabad government to get them out of the country. Almost a million have left Pakistan since October 2023 to avoid arrest and expulsion.

 

The Taliban leader slams Trump’s travel ban on Afghans and calls the US an ‘oppressor’
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Afghan TPS holders should have applied for permanent residency, Says US State Department

June 7, 2025
Khaama Press

The U.S. State Department stated that Afghan TPS holders were expected to apply for permanent residency before the temporary status ended.

The U.S. State Department has responded to growing concerns over the cancellation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan refugees, stating that individuals under this program were expected to apply for permanent residency.

Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated during a press briefing on Thursday, June 5, that TPS was always intended to be a short-term benefit. He emphasized that the status would eventually end, and beneficiaries should have made efforts toward more stable immigration pathways.

Pigott also stressed the importance of ensuring that Afghan individuals entering the U.S. undergo thorough vetting. “It is essential for the U.S. government to verify the background and eligibility of each Afghan entrant,” he said, highlighting national security concerns.

In addressing the impact of President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, Pigott noted that an exception was made for holders of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), a program specifically designed for Afghans who worked with U.S. missions.

President Trump on Wednesday signed a controversial directive barring entry to citizens of 12 countries, including Afghanistan and Iran. The decision has been widely criticized by human rights groups and immigration advocates for disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

Previously, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had announced its intention to end TPS for Afghans, a move that could affect thousands of refugees who fled after the fall of Kabul in 2021.

This policy shift places immense pressure on Afghan TPS holders to seek long-term immigration relief or face potential deportation. Legal experts warn that the cancellation could lead to a humanitarian crisis without additional support or legal reforms.

Afghan TPS holders should have applied for permanent residency, Says US State Department
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Afghanistan Hunger Crisis: One in Five require urgent food assistance

June 7, 2025

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

One in five Afghans urgently need food aid as rising hunger threatens millions amid economic collapse and declining international support.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that one in every five people in Afghanistan is dependent on humanitarian aid to survive. The agency warned that if international support continues to decline, millions more Afghans will face severe hunger and food insecurity in the coming months.

According to the latest WFP assessment, approximately 20% of Afghanistan’s population is currently in crisis and in urgent need of food assistance. The report states that nearly 15 million people could experience critical food shortages if global aid drops further.

The WFP estimates that between May and October 2025, around 9.5 million Afghans will require immediate food support. Of this population, about 1.6 million are expected to be in the emergency phase (IPC Phase 4), while nearly 7.93 million will fall under the crisis phase (IPC Phase 3) of food insecurity.

The organization has raised serious concerns over the declining international commitment to Afghanistan, urging the global community to scale up its support. Without renewed humanitarian engagement, the agency cautions that a large-scale human catastrophe is imminent.

Years of economic instability, prolonged droughts, and ongoing internal conflicts and the Taliban rule have severely worsened Afghanistan’s food security. International organizations have consistently flagged the deteriorating conditions and stressed the need for sustained donor funding to prevent a humanitarian disaster.

Experts emphasize that long-term solutions must address the root causes of hunger in Afghanistan, including agricultural rehabilitation, water infrastructure, and economic development. Short-term relief alone cannot prevent recurring cycles of crisis.

As the global spotlight dims on Afghanistan, humanitarian agencies warn that neglect could cost millions of lives. Renewed global solidarity is essential to support Afghans through one of the worst hunger crises in the country’s modern history.

Afghanistan Hunger Crisis: One in Five require urgent food assistance
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Richard Bennett: Afghanistan’s people show inspiring resilience amid hardship

June 7, 2025
Khaama Press

Richard Bennett praised the people of Afghanistan for their inspiring resilience amid ongoing hardships and restrictions on civil liberties.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has described the resilience and resistance of Afghanistan’s citizens under Taliban rule as a source of inspiration. His remarks come amid ongoing restrictions imposed on civil liberties, particularly affecting women and girls.

In a post on X on Friday, June 6, Bennett extended Eid al-Adha greetings to all Muslims. He expressed hope that the occasion would signal a future where all people can live with freedom, dignity, and equal rights.

The Taliban have officially declared Saturday as the first day of Eid al-Adha. However, celebrations in Afghanistan are overshadowed by increasing limitations on basic freedoms and human rights, especially for women, who remain banned from parks, public spaces, and many forms of social participation.

Reports indicate that the Taliban have closed recreational venues to women and placed restrictions on their movement within cities, further intensifying concerns over gender-based repression.

In addition to social restrictions, economic hardship continues to weigh heavily on many Afghans. Citizens have expressed deep frustration over their inability to afford Eid celebrations, citing widespread poverty, rising prices, and growing unemployment.

The UN and global human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s gender apartheid policies and called for the restoration of basic freedoms and access to education and employment for women of Afghanistan.

As Eid arrives under a cloud of hardship, the international community faces renewed pressure to support the Afghanistan people—particularly women and marginalized groups—in their struggle for dignity and fundamental rights.

Richard Bennett: Afghanistan’s people show inspiring resilience amid hardship
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Kabul Retirees Complain of Delayed Pensions, Challenges During Eid

June 7, 2025
 Shabnam Amini
Tolo News
7 June 2025

They criticized the delay in receiving their pensions, stating that even during these special days, they are struggling with livelihood challenges.

A number of retirees in Kabul complained about their difficult economic situation on the first day of Eid al-Adha.

They criticized the delay in receiving their pensions, stating that even during these special days, they are struggling with livelihood challenges.

Zarifa, one of the retirees who lives with her two sisters, expressed her situation with a calm yet deeply emotional tone, saying that this year, due to financial hardship, they were unable to prepare for Eid.

Zarifa, a retiree, said: “We have not been able to prepare anything until now. God is merciful; may He bless us. The Islamic Emirate must consider the proposals for us retirees. We have nothing in our lives.”

Zarmeena, Zarifa’s sister, said: “If they pay our pension, why should we reach such a state? How long will this continue—one year, two years, now it’s the fifth year. The Islamic Emirate must hear the voice of all Muslims, including ours.”

Alongside Zarifa, several other retirees also demanded that the Islamic Emirate pay their pensions promptly so they can meet their families’ basic needs.

Gulabuddin, a retiree, said: “For four years, letters have been sent, but why are they not implemented?”

Another retiree, Gul Mohammad, said: “For the sake of Eid al-Adha, something should be given to us. We cannot even afford to perform the sacrifice or buy food.”

Ahmad Zia Noori, another retiree, added: “For the sake of Eid, do not trouble us anymore. Enough is enough. We are laborers; show some kindness and mercy, issue the orders so we can also have peace and so can you.”

The delay in pension payments has caused many retirees, who served for years in government institutions, to face economic difficulties and struggle to provide for their families.

So far, the Islamic Emirate officials have not commented on the timing of pension payments.

Kabul Retirees Complain of Delayed Pensions, Challenges During Eid
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‘Abandoned’: Afghan women waiting for visas feel betrayed by US travel ban

June 5, 2025

By  and 

Reuters

  • Trump order blocks Afghan citizens from the United States
  • Thousands of Afghans stuck in Pakistan waiting for US processing
  • ‘Turned hopes into ashes’ says women’s rights defender
ISLAMABAD/KABUL, June 5 (Reuters) – Fatima, a 57-year-old Afghan women’s rights defender waiting in limbo in Pakistan for her U.S. visa to be processed, had her dreams shattered overnight after President Donald Trump included Afghans among those banned from entering the U.S.
She worked for decades for U.S.-funded projects in Central Afghanistan and now risks being pushed back to her home country, where she fears for her safety and her teenage daughter is unable to attend school.

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Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday banning nationals of 12 countries, including Afghanistan, from entering the United States, saying the move was needed to protect against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats.
“We are not al-Qaeda, we are the ones who fought back, we are the ones who gave our youth, our strength, our physical energy, our voices, everything we had, for the dream of a peaceful nation, for a country where we could simply breathe, we stood beside NATO forces,” said Fatima.
“And today, to be abandoned by America is not only tragic, it is devastating, It is a source of deep despair,” she added.

HELP PLEDGED FOR ALLIES

In the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign troops as Taliban forces seized Kabul in 2021, Western countries vowed to help, especially those Afghans who had worked for them or on projects they backed. But many have been disappointed.
Then-President Joe Biden pledged to help “Afghan allies” and introduced the P-2 programme for admission as refugees for Afghans who met certain criteria, including having worked for U.S. organisations and media.
The main refugee advocate agency this year estimated that between 10,000-15,000 Afghans were waiting in Pakistan for their visas to be processed, though that included applicants to the Special Immigration Visa (SIV) program for those who directly assisted the U.S. military and government, which was exempted from this week’s order.
Fatima said she had hoped never to leave her country but as the prominent head of a women’s rights group she felt she had no choice after the Taliban returned to power. The U.S. government instructed her to travel to a third country for processing and like many, her only option was neighbouring Pakistan where she arrived in 2023.
She finally received notice that she should send her family’s passports to prepare for a flight in January. But a decision that month by President Trump to halt refugee processing threw that into disarray and Fatima has not heard from U.S. authorities since.
In the meantime, Pakistan began once again ramping up a repatriation drive that began in 2023, leaving many in the pipeline for U.S. processing fearful of even leaving the house in case they were stopped by police.
A spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign office did not respond to a request for comment on Thursday on how it would handle the Afghans in the pipeline for the U.S. The Taliban-run foreign ministry did not immediately respond to request for comment on Trump’s executive order.
The Taliban, which has barred women from travelling without a male guardian and girls from high school, says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law. It has said that its administration is not targeting former foes with violence and it will investigate any suspected cases.
Mahbouba Seraj, a prominent Kabul-based women’s rights advocate, said the new U.S. decision was a huge blow to women’s rights defenders and other vulnerable groups.
“This is absolutely terrible because a whole lot of those… people were waiting, they have all of their paperwork done, they are completely vetted, they are all ready to come to the U.S., they have sold their houses, they have no life in Afghanistan and they are all waiting,” she said. “Now this is what happens.”

Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield in Islamabad and Mohammad Yunus Yawar in Kabul; Editing by Sharon Singleton

‘Abandoned’: Afghan women waiting for visas feel betrayed by US travel ban
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Gulf Cooperation Council calls for protection of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

June 4, 2025
Khaama Press

The Gulf Cooperation Council urged Afghanistan to protect women’s rights, ensure education and work opportunities, and safeguard vulnerable communities.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during its 164th ministerial meeting in Kuwait released a statement emphasizing the urgent need to guarantee women’s rights to education and employment in Afghanistan. The statement also highlighted the protection of minority groups as a critical priority.

The GCC ministers from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait convened on June 2 to discuss regional security and humanitarian issues. Their joint declaration stressed the importance of restoring peace and stability within Afghanistan.

In the statement, the GCC unequivocally condemned the use of Afghanistan territory by terrorist groups or for drug trafficking activities. The council urged all parties to ensure that Afghanistan’s soil is not exploited for such destructive purposes.

The ministers expressed their solidarity with the Afghanistan people in combating terrorism in all its forms. They reiterated the necessity of enhancing security and political stability to foster sustainable development in Afghanistan.

Moreover, the GCC praised ongoing humanitarian and relief efforts by its member countries and underlined the need for continued international humanitarian, economic, and development assistance to alleviate the hardships faced by the Afghanistan population.

The GCC’s call for safeguarding women’s rights and minority protections aligns with broader international concerns regarding Afghanistan’s future. The council’s emphasis on peace, security, and humanitarian aid highlights the critical role regional cooperation plays in addressing Afghanistan’s complex challenges.

Sustained international engagement, alongside regional support, remains vital to promote stability and human rights in Afghanistan, ensuring the country does not relapse into conflict or become a safe haven for terrorism or illicit activities.

Gulf Cooperation Council calls for protection of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan
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Pakistan to chair UN Security Council Taliban Sanctions Committee

June 4, 2025
Khaama News

 

Pakistan will now chair the UNSC Taliban Sanctions Committee, overseeing sanctions related to the Taliban’s activities and influence.

Reports indicate that Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has been appointed as the new chair of the 1988 Sanctions Committee. This committee, responsible for monitoring sanctions imposed on the Taliban, was previously headed by Ecuador’s representative, José Javier de la Gasca, until December 31, 2024.

This leadership change comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts, particularly from China, to engage with the Taliban administration, raising questions about Pakistan’s role in managing these sanctions. The 1988 Sanctions Committee oversees measures such as travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on Taliban members.

Decisions within the committee are made by consensus among the 15 permanent and non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. This appointment coincides with Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. According to the Economic Times, this shift in leadership has sparked concerns regarding Pakistan’s impartiality in enforcing the sanctions, especially due to its historical support for the Taliban.

Pakistan was accepted as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term earlier this year. This new position gives Pakistan the opportunity to exert pressure on the Taliban, encouraging them to combat “terrorism” and groups it claims are supported by the Taliban and conducting attacks on Pakistani soil.

Pakistani officials have consistently stated that attacks on its territory are organized from Afghanistan, which is under Taliban control. However, the Taliban has denied these allegations in the past, continuing to reject Pakistan’s claims regarding cross-border attacks.

Pakistan has previously indicated that members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are present in Afghanistan. The country has urged the Afghan Taliban to cooperate in addressing this issue and combat the presence of these militants.

Recently, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for closer cooperation with the Taliban. On June 3, Sharif warned against allowing Afghanistan’s territory to be used by proxy forces, particularly from India, for “terrorist activities” against Pakistan.

In his speech during a visit to Peshawar with senior security officials, Sharif stressed Pakistan’s determination to eliminate what he termed the “Khwarij menace” and the “India-backed terrorist network,” reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to securing its borders and fighting terrorism.

While the sanctions committee plays a critical role in maintaining global security, the leadership change and Pakistan’s position in both the UN and its regional relations raise questions about the effectiveness and neutrality of the committee’s actions.

 

Pakistan to chair UN Security Council Taliban Sanctions Committee
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MoU Signed to Boost Mining Cooperation in Afghanistan

June 4, 2025
Habib Rahman Qooyash
Head of Business Desk
Tolo News
4 June 2025

The Chamber of Commerce and Investment officials describe Afghanistan’s mineral resources as the national wealth of the Afghan people.

The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum and the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance facilitation and coordination between the private sector and the ministry in the extraction and processing of Afghanistan’s mines.

Officials consider this MoU crucial for resolving major challenges faced by mining contractors and for increasing coordination between the private sector and the ministry regarding the protection and utilization of mineral resources.

The Chamber of Commerce and Investment officials describe Afghanistan’s mineral resources as the national wealth of the Afghan people, emphasizing that protecting and properly utilizing these resources is a shared responsibility of the government, the private sector, and the people.

Mohammad Younus Mohmand, first deputy of the Chamber of Commerce and Investment, stated: “The mines are our national wealth. Protecting and properly processing the mines is the duty of every Afghan. It’s not our responsibility how the mines are obtained, but rather how we process them properly so that their benefits reach all of Afghanistan.”

Khanjan Alokozai, head of the Afghanistan-Pakistan Joint Chamber of Commerce, said: “We act as a bridge between the government and traders. Our role is to connect reputable traders who have love for their country, capital, and resources with the ministry.”

Abdul Rahman Qanit, Deputy Minister of Mines and Petroleum, also stated that the ministry strives to ensure the proper management of Afghanistan’s mines with national interests in mind. He assured mining contractors and private sector representatives that the current challenges will be addressed.

Abdul Rahman Qanit added: “These mines, which are now the responsibility of the ministry and the private sector, must be used wisely and employed in public-benefit projects.”

Increased coordination, enhanced facilitation, reduction of customs tariffs on mineral products, easing the transportation of minerals—especially from airports—and facilitating access to precious and semi-precious stone mines are among the main demands of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum’s contractors.

MoU Signed to Boost Mining Cooperation in Afghanistan
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