Nearly 1,660 Afghan refugees cleared for resettlement in the U.S. are facing flight cancellations following President Donald Trump’s order suspending U.S. refugee programs.
This group, which includes family members of active-duty U.S. military personnel, unaccompanied minors awaiting reunification with their families, and Afghans at risk of Taliban retribution for supporting the U.S.-backed government, has seen their flights canceled, according to a U.S. official and Shawn VanDiver, head of the #AfghanEvac coalition.
The suspension of refugee resettlement programs leaves many Afghans, including those who had been approved for resettlement but not yet assigned flights, in uncertainty. The decision also impacts vulnerable groups, such as those who fought alongside U.S. forces or worked for U.S. contractors.
VanDiver, a leading refugee advocate, expressed alarm at the situation. “Afghans and advocates are panicking,” he said. “We warned them this could happen, but they proceeded anyway. We hope they will reconsider.”
The flight cancellations are part of a broader immigration crackdown promised by Trump during his 2024 campaign. Under his executive orders, U.S. refugee programs are being suspended for at least four months. The White House has not yet responded to inquiries on the matter.
The move has sparked backlash from Democratic lawmakers, with members of the House Foreign Relations Committee criticizing the suspension.
“This is what abandonment looks like. Leaving vetted, verified Afghan Allies at the mercy of the Taliban is shameful,” they stated in a post on X.
VanDiver's organization has been instrumental in working with the U.S. government to evacuate and resettle Afghans since the Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021, following the U.S. military’s withdrawal. Under the Biden administration, nearly 200,000 Afghans have been resettled in the U.S.
This new policy leaves thousands of Afghans who fought for the U.S. or assisted with military operations stranded. The situation is particularly dire for the families of Afghan-American service members, as well as Afghan children who were separated from their parents during the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul.
VanDiver and the U.S. official confirmed that Afghans approved for resettlement are being removed from flight manifests scheduled for departure from Kabul between now and April. Among them are Afghan allies, unaccompanied minors, and those who served with U.S. forces.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)