Background on Key Figures and Relevance
The decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan citizens was announced by Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security under the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump. TPS is a designation that protects individuals from certain countries affected by conflict or natural disasters from being deported.
Afghanistan has faced severe economic challenges since the Taliban regained power in August 2021. The country is experiencing the second-worst humanitarian crisis globally, following Sudan, ravaged by war, according to the United Nations. Approximately one-third of Afghanistan’s population, or 15 million people, suffers from hunger, and nearly one in four young people is unemployed.
Details of the Revocation
Noem stated that the conditions in Afghanistan no longer meet the criteria for TPS designation. She claimed that security conditions have improved and the country’s economy is stabilizing, allowing Afghans to return safely to their homeland.
Noem also mentioned that some TPS beneficiaries have been investigated for fraud and posing threats to public and national security. TPS protects against deportation and grants the right to work for foreign nationals who cannot safely return to their countries due to war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
AfghanEvac, a non-governmental organization, reports that around 11,000 Afghans are currently protected by TPS in the United States. Shawn VanDiver, AfghanEvac’s president, criticized the decision as politically motivated rather than based on reality.
VanDiver, a U.S. military veteran, emphasized that the Taliban still controls Afghanistan and that human rights violations, particularly against women and ethnic minorities, continue. He accused the Trump administration of betraying those who risked their lives for the U.S., built lives here, and trusted American promises.
Impact on Afghan Refugees in the U.S.
The Trump administration had previously granted special immigrant visas to thousands of Afghans, including those who worked with the U.S. military or the now-deposed Afghan government, following the Taliban’s return to power.
Former Democratic President Joe Biden extended TPS protections for nationals of several countries, including Venezuelans, just before Trump returned to the White House. Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has taken steps to eliminate TPS protections for citizens of various countries, such as Haiti and Venezuela.
Legal Challenges
A federal judge in California temporarily halted Trump’s intention to end TPS for Venezuelans in March. The administration appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who announced the revocation of TPS for Afghan citizens? Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security under President Donald Trump.
- What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)? TPS is a designation that protects individuals from certain countries affected by conflict or natural disasters from being deported.
- Why was TPS revoked for Afghan citizens? The Trump administration determined that conditions in Afghanistan no longer met the criteria for TPS designation, citing improved security conditions and economic stabilization.
- What is the current status of Afghan refugees in the U.S.? Approximately 11,000 Afghans are protected by TPS in the United States. Their future remains uncertain following the revocation of their status.
- What legal challenges exist regarding TPS revocation? A federal judge temporarily halted the termination of TPS for Venezuelans, and the Trump administration appealed this decision to the Supreme Court.
