This week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that has abruptly halted the relocation of families belonging to U.S. service members stuck in Afghanistan.
As a result, around 200 family members are now left seeking refuge in the United States while facing perilous conditions.
Impact of the Executive Order
These families were attempting to flee Taliban control via the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
However, Trump’s order, known as “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” has put a pause on their efforts—a decision that emerged shortly after he took office.
Dirk VanDiver, the head of AfghanEvac, an organization committed to helping Afghans who supported the U.S. during its military operations, noted that these families feel abandoned and deeply disheartened by the latest developments.
Under President Joe Biden, a special provision allowed the families of U.S. troops to enter the U.S. through the refugee program.
However, Trump’s new directive expresses concerns that an influx of immigrants might overstretch local resources.
This suspension officially began on January 27.
Ongoing Challenges for Afghan Refugees
According to the order, admitting refugees through USRAP is deemed not in the best interest of the United States.
This has left countless Afghans, who were already in the immigration process, facing a murky and uncertain future.
While there may be a few limited exceptions to the suspension, the criteria for these are still unclear.
Estimates indicate that between 150,000 and 250,000 Afghans are looking to immigrate to the United States.
The implications of this executive order extend far beyond just the families of military personnel; it also impacts Afghan allies—such as women judges, pilots, and human rights advocates—who worked closely with U.S. forces.
AfghanEvac estimates that approximately 60,000 individuals, including these critical groups, are currently classified as refugees.
Many Afghans had previously applied for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), which are granted to those who assisted the U.S. government during its operations in Afghanistan.
Although more than 50,000 SIVs have been awarded since the program began in 2009, around 15,000 vetted Afghans find themselves in limbo, their plans to travel to the U.S. now paused indefinitely.
The Call for Support
The State Department has not clarified how this latest order will impact those left in uncertainty, leaving many without any direction or updates about their situations, as VanDiver pointed out.
VanDiver expressed confusion over Trump’s actions, especially since the former president’s campaign advocated for support to Afghans who could not escape following the U.S. withdrawal.
This withdrawal came under intense scrutiny after a devastating ISIS-K bombing claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members and around 170 Afghan civilians in August 2021.
Describing the executive order as a significant misstep, VanDiver suggested it was not intended to exclude these Afghan families from support.
He remains hopeful for a swift resolution to the plight that has arisen.
Earlier this month, AfghanEvac sent a letter to Trump’s transition team and lawmakers, advocating for a comprehensive strategy to facilitate the relocation and resettlement of Afghan allies in the United States.
This letter has attracted over 1,000 signatures, and VanDiver is optimistic it will prompt timely government action.
He cautioned that neglecting Afghan refugees could have larger repercussions, potentially discouraging future collaboration with the U.S. He emphasized that failing to support those who risked their lives for American missions sends a troubling message about commitment and trust to potential allies.
Source: Militarytimes