Afghans who fled their homeland following the Taliban's resurgence are urgently appealing to former President Donald Trump to reverse his decision suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). The suspension has left an estimated 15,000 Afghans in Pakistan awaiting approval to resettle in the United States, a situation exacerbated by fears of Taliban retribution for their support of U.S. troops and efforts.

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, many Afghans have risked their lives in support roles such as interpreters and human rights defenders. However, under an executive order signed by Trump shortly after taking office, all refugee admissions from Afghanistan were halted starting January 27, with a review set to take place every 90 days to assess the program's future. This policy has caused considerable distress among those already approved for resettlement, leaving them in a precarious state in Pakistan, where arbitrary arrests and deportations are on the rise.

“The Taliban regards us as traitors, and returning to Afghanistan would expose us to arrest, torture, or death,” states an open letter from the advocacy group Afghan USRAP Refugees. Among those affected is Mahnoosh Monir, a former medical student whose education was halted by the Taliban’s crackdown on women's rights. “I didn’t expect this suspension to happen. The long waiting times make us think of very disappointing probabilities, like being sent back to Afghanistan,” Monir expressed, emphasizing the grave risks faced by women under Taliban rule.

Advocates and community leaders are raising alarms about the humanitarian implications of this suspension, asserting that the United States owes Afghans a "great debt" for their service alongside U.S. forces. Arash Azizzada, co-founder of Afghans For a Better Tomorrow, condemned the decision as “cruel,” noting the heightened vulnerabilities Afghans face in Pakistan.

The situation remains dire as many Afghan refugees are caught in bureaucratic limbo. Some, disheartened by delays, have even attempted dangerous routes to reach the U.S.-Mexico border in search of asylum. The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan is one of the world’s most urgent crises, projecting that over half a million Afghans will need resettlement in the coming years.

As the political landscape evolves, many remain hopeful for a reconsideration of refugee policies, urging the administration to prioritize humanitarian needs and the lives at stake. “In Pakistan, the situation is increasingly untenable,” the advocacy group underscored, calling for immediate action to lift the suspension.

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