Thousands of Resettled Afghans at Risk as US Moves to Revoke Temporary Protected Status
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Afghanistan no longer meets the legal criteria for TPS designation
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals, effective May 20, 2025.
This decision impacts approximately 14,600 Afghans who had been granted TPS due to the dangerous conditions in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s resurgence after the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
TPS provided these individuals with protection from deportation and work authorization, offering temporary stability while their home country faced armed conflict and humanitarian crises.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Afghanistan no longer meets the legal criteria for TPS designation, based on assessments by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and consultations with the State Department.
Advocacy groups and veterans have criticized this decision, arguing that conditions in Afghanistan remain dire under Taliban rule, with systemic oppression, economic collapse, and widespread hunger persisting.
The move has raised concerns about the fate of deported Afghans, as the U.S. does not recognize the Taliban-led government or operate direct flights to Afghanistan. Many deportees may be sent to countries like Pakistan, which is also deporting undocumented Afghans.
Advocacy organizations have condemned the decision as a betrayal of Afghan allies who supported U.S. military efforts during its longest war and now face uncertainty and potential danger.
