Afghans who fled their homeland after the Taliban's resurgence are urgently appealing for the reinstatement of the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which has been suspended under an executive order signed by President Trump. The decision has left many in a precarious situation, as an estimated 15,000 Afghans now in Pakistan await approval for resettlement. This program was designed to assist those at risk due to their support for US military efforts and other humanitarian engagements during the two-decade-long conflict.

Since the Taliban took control in August 2021, individuals like Mahnoosh Monir, a former medical student and teaching professional, have expressed their fears. With the schools shut down and their rights severely restricted, Monir stated, “I didn’t expect this suspension to happen... we are facing nightmares of being sent back to Afghanistan.” Such sentiments were echoed by advocacy groups like Al Jazeera, which cite a rising tide of distress among Afghan refugees who feel betrayed by the world's powers.

Advocates are warning that returning to Afghanistan, under the current Taliban regime, means risking imprisonment, torture, or death. In a heartfelt message, the Afghan USRAP Refugees group urged Trump to reverse the suspension, emphasizing that many former allies of the US now face arbitrary arrests and deportations in Pakistan.

Major concerns are directed towards the living conditions in Pakistan, where individuals like Hadisa Bibi, a women’s rights advocate, live under constant fear. “Given the risks I face... I am hoping for a swift resettlement to the United States,” she implored. This sentiment reverberates among many who are still fighting for a chance at a safe future.

As the United Nations labels the current situation in Afghanistan as one of the most urgent global crises, projections suggest that over half a million Afghans may seek resettlement by 2025. Advocates stress, “The United States owes Afghans a great debt, and we will ensure America pays that debt, despite this administration's decisions.” However, with the uncertainty created by Trump’s executive order, many Afghans remain in limbo, grappling with the terrifying prospect of being forced back into a hostile environment.

The implications of Trump's policies are profound, as widespread anxiety mounts among both refugees and families of American soldiers with loved ones trapped in Afghanistan. “I can’t even do my job properly because this is mentally impacting me,” shared an Afghan American soldier whose sister remains in Kabul. As AP News reports on the precarious conditions faced by many, calls for action reverberate loudly across social and political spheres.

In conclusion, the appeals from Afghans for a reconsideration of the suspension serve as a stark reminder of their plight—a plea underscored by risk and desperation as they navigate an uncertain future.

For further details on the situation, see the original reports by India Times and Al Jazeera.