U.S. Congress Members Criticize Halt of Afghan Relocation Program: “It’s a Betrayal”

Kokcha News Agency: Members of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee have strongly criticized the Trump administration’s decision to halt programs aimed at relocating Afghan allies, labeling it a “betrayal” of commitments made to those who supported U.S. forces. In a formal letter, the committee expressed deep concern over the suspension of the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program and the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, which have left many Afghans at risk of deportation to Afghanistan.

The committee warned that these decisions endanger the lives of thousands of Afghans who worked alongside U.S. forces for years. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, thousands of Afghans residing in other countries have been awaiting relocation to the U.S. through programs designed to assist those at risk due to their work with the U.S. government, media, aid organizations, and human rights groups.

Donald Trump, on the first day of his second term, signed an executive order suspending the U.S. refugee admissions program for at least three months starting January 27. The White House stated that during this period, the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State, would provide a report to the President on whether resuming the program would be in the best interest of the U.S.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday (May 22, 2024) that the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Afghan citizens who fled to the U.S. after the fall of the previous government would end on July 12.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cited “improved security conditions” in Afghanistan as the reason for the decision, claiming that assessments of security threats and potential fraud among some TPS holders had been conducted, and the decision was made in the interest of U.S. national security.

The TPS program, initiated during President Joe Biden’s administration, was designed to prevent the deportation of Afghan citizens who sought refuge in the U.S. due to the political and security crisis in their country.