• US appeals court halts the end of temporary protected status (TPS) for Afghans.
• Over 11,700 Afghans were set to lose their protections amidst ongoing conflict.
• The legal challenge was initiated by immigration advocacy group CASA.

A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from revoking Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 12,000 Afghans, whose protections were scheduled to expire shortly. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an emergency stay on the termination order after a request by CASA, an immigration advocacy group, which argued that conditions in Afghanistan remained unsafe for returnees. "TPS has been a vital lifeline for tens of thousands of Afghans who supported U.S. missions or fled Taliban persecution," said Shawn VanDiver, President of AfghanEvac, highlighting the urgency surrounding this ruling, which allows affected individuals to remain and work legally in the US pending further legal deliberations, according to TRT Global and CBS News.

The Trump administration's efforts to end TPS for Afghans were part of a broader approach to cut back immigration protections for multiple nationalities. In May, the Department of Homeland Security announced its intention to terminate TPS, asserting improvements in Afghanistan's security and economy. However, many advocates argued that returning to a country still fraught with threats poses significant dangers, especially for those who aided US efforts during its military engagement, reflecting ongoing concerns over human rights in the region. CASA's challenge contends that the government's decision is arbitrary and could cause “irreparable harm” as countless lives depend on these temporary protections, according to NPR and Al Jazeera.

The legal stay granted by the court comes amid reports that approximately 180,000 Afghans have fled the country since the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, with 11,700 specifically enrolled in TPS. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions highlight a larger issue of potential deportations as the Trump administration seeks to revitalize its hardline immigration policy. The ramifications of terminating TPS could destabilize communities and force families into precarious situations, emphasizing the urgent need for Congress to consider permanent protections for these vulnerable populations. “We urge Congress to protect Afghans by providing them permanent status — a commitment that is long overdue,” stated Jennie Murray, president of the National Immigration Forum, according to TRT Global, CBS News, NPR, and Al Jazeera.