The Trump administration has terminated Temporary Protected Status for nearly 15,000 Afghan refugees, citing improved conditions in Afghanistan despite concerns from advocacy groups about ongoing dangers under Taliban rule.
At a Glance
- The Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem is ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 14,600 Afghan nationals
- TPS for Afghanistan will expire July 12, 2025, with Secretary Noem citing “improved security situation” and “stabilizing economy”
- DHS officials noted concerns about fraud and national security threats among some TPS recipients
- The program was originally implemented during the Biden administration following the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan
Temporary Protected Status Termination Decision
The Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem announced this week that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan will expire on May 20, 2025, with the termination becoming effective July 12, 2025. This decision affects approximately 14,600 Afghan nationals currently residing in the United States under protections that were initially granted during the Biden administration following the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
In announcing the termination, Secretary Noem emphasized a shift in policy priorities. “This administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent,” Noem stated. “We’ve reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan with our interagency partners, and they do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation. Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevent them from returning to their home country.”
Security Concerns Behind the Decision
The DHS statement highlighted national security considerations as a significant factor in the decision to end the program. “The termination furthers the national interest as DHS records indicate that there are recipients who have been under investigation for fraud and threatening our public safety and national security,” Noem explained. This follows multiple reports of vetting problems that plagued the initial Afghan evacuation operation.
“The termination furthers the national interest as DHS records indicate that there are recipients who have been under investigation for fraud and threatening our public safety and national security.” Noem stated.
According to reports from the Department of Defense Inspector General and homeland security officials, the initial Afghan resettlement program faced significant challenges with proper vetting. In one alarming case, a 27-year-old Afghan man who entered the U.S. through the evacuation program was arrested in Oklahoma for allegedly planning a terrorist attack. Former defense officials have also indicated that some Afghans resettled in America were previously involved in placing IEDs targeting American troops.
Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
The decision has prompted immediate legal challenges, with immigrant advocacy organization CASA filing a lawsuit contesting the termination. Critics argue that conditions in Afghanistan remain dangerous, particularly for women, religious minorities, and those who had previously worked with American forces. The United Nations has documented over 3.4 million Afghans who have either returned to Afghanistan or been deported since 2023, creating additional humanitarian strain.
“This administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent. We’ve reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan with our interagency partners, and they do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation.” Noem said in a statement.
The Taliban regime has reportedly issued approximately 150 edicts restricting women’s basic rights since regaining control, affecting education, employment opportunities, and social interactions. Some refugee advocates argue that the decision appears politically motivated rather than based on actual conditions within Afghanistan. Federal law requires DHS to review conditions in TPS-designated countries at least 60 days before the status expires.
Broader Immigration Policy Shift
The termination of Afghan TPS status comes as the administration is implementing other significant changes to refugee and immigration policies. The Trump administration has initiated a new refugee program that prioritizes white South Africans, specifically Afrikaners, citing concerns about racial discrimination in South Africa. This policy shift has intensified debate about the administration’s approach to humanitarian protection and refugee admissions.
For Afghans currently under TPS protection, the termination creates immediate uncertainty. Many have established lives and communities in the United States since arriving during the evacuation operation nearly four years ago. They now face the possibility of deportation to Afghanistan, where economic conditions remain challenging despite the DHS assessment of stabilization, with high unemployment rates compounded by the Taliban’s restrictions on women in the workforce.
