Afghan Allies Face Deportation as U.S. Immigration Policies Freeze SIVs and Visas

Kokcha News Agency: Afghan refugees who supported U.S. military operations in Afghanistan are confronting heightened risks of detention and deportation due to the suspension of key immigration programs. Policies enacted during the Trump administration have frozen Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), refugee admissions, and Green Card processing, stranding applicants — including interpreters, journalists, and former government employees — in a state of uncertainty.

Many, like Ali, a former Afghan Air Force pilot, were evacuated during the fall of Kabul in 2021. After flying his military aircraft to Uzbekistan to avoid Taliban capture, he now works as an Uber driver in the U.S. while pursuing aviation training. His story reflects both resilience and ongoing vulnerability: his fiancée remains under Taliban rule, and his sister faces severe restrictions.

Reports from Reuters and CNN highlight how the suspension of legal pathways has separated families and broken promises to those who risked their lives alongside American troops. Over 130 humanitarian organizations have issued a joint statement urging the U.S. government to resume processing and uphold its commitments.

Legal experts and advocates warn that failing to act not only endangers lives but also damages U.S. credibility as an ally. With the Taliban in power, returning refugees could face imprisonment, torture, or death.