Afghan Allies, Troop Families Trapped as Trump Halts Refugee Programs

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that suspended U.S. refugee programs, resulting in hundreds of Afghan families connected to U.S. service members and allies being left stranded in Afghanistan. Advocates caution that the order jeopardizes the safety of individuals who collaborated with American forces throughout the 20-year conflict and now face threats under Taliban governance.

The suspension affects Afghan families of U.S. troops, partner forces, journalists, aid workers, and others who support U.S. missions but do not qualify for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Shawn Vandiver, the founder of #AfghanEvac, expressed criticism of the sweeping order, highlighting the thorough vetting process these individuals have experienced.

“They’ve undergone extensive vetting, and primarily, they’ve been vetted because we provided them with firearms, and they protected us,” VanDiver stated.

An earlier exemption from the Biden administration had created a route for these families to pursue safety in the U.S. beyond the SIV program. Since 2009, the SIV initiative has provided nearly 50,500 visas to eligible Afghans who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government during military operations. Nevertheless, the suspension of the refugee program now obstructs avenues for those who do not qualify for SIV but are confronted with life-threatening dangers.

Veterans and advocates are voicing strong discontent, highlighting the ethical duty to safeguard Afghan allies and their families. “These individuals supported our troops, saved numerous American lives, and are now being left behind,” VanDiver stated.

The order has raised concerns about potential retaliation from the Taliban, who have aimed at individuals associated with U.S. missions. Families left behind encounter significant dangers, such as violence and imprisonment, while trying to navigate a nation under Taliban control.

Critics contend that the executive order compromises the U.S. commitments to its allies and poses a threat to national security by deterring future cooperation. Advocacy groups are calling on the administration to rethink the blanket suspension and grant immediate exemptions for the most vulnerable.

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