With US Refugee Program Halted, Afghans in Pakistan Left in Limbo
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Synopsis
The suspension of the US refugee program by President Trump has jeopardized the future of thousands of Afghans in Pakistan, who escaped the Taliban's rule and sought resettlement in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Trump's executive order halts the US refugee program.
- Over 25,000 Afghans in Pakistan await resettlement.
- Agreement with Biden administration promised resettlement.
- Visas for 1,660 Afghans suspended.
- Afghans face dangers if deported to Afghanistan.
Islamabad, Jan 22 (NationPress) The executive order by US President Donald Trump to halt the refugee program has cast a shadow over the future of numerous Afghans residing in Pakistan, who escaped from the Taliban's reign in Afghanistan and have been anxiously waiting for years for a chance to migrate to the United States.
The US refugee initiative, which aimed to resettle more than 25,000 Afghan individuals currently in Pakistan, was abruptly terminated by Trump on his first day in office.
According to the agreement between the government of Pakistan and the Biden administration, it was understood that over 25,000 Afghans—many of whom had served alongside the US military and contractors prior to the Taliban's resurgence in August 2021—would eventually find refuge in the US.
Initially, Islamabad anticipated that the arrangement would allow for a temporary residence of Afghan nationals in the nation. However, there has been no advancement on this matter for the past three and a half years.
“The Biden administration had provided reassurances to Pakistan that Afghan nationals would be resettled through programs such as the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and the US Refugee Admission Program (USRAP). However, following Trump’s executive order, the entire resettlement process has been thrown into disarray,” remarked senior strategic analyst Kamran Yousaf.
Reports indicate that the visas of at least 1,660 Afghans, who were approved by the US government for resettlement along with their families, have now been put on hold, leaving them with little choice but to remain in Pakistan.
“This development followed immediately after Trump’s order to suspend the US refugee program,” stated an official.
Washington's decision has left the future of these Afghan individuals in Pakistan hanging in the balance.
“These unfortunate Afghans are now confronted with numerous challenges and dire situations. They find themselves in Pakistan, a nation that is deporting undocumented Afghans back to their homeland. In Afghanistan, these individuals face the threat of arrest and execution, as the Taliban opposes anyone who collaborated with US forces before August 2021,” commented Syed Liaqat Banori, Chairman of the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid (SHARP).
Government sources in Pakistan have also voiced grave concerns regarding this recent turn of events.
“We anticipated that the refugee program could be scrutinized once President Trump assumed office, but the swift actions taken by the new administration have taken us by surprise,” noted an official.
