Key Takeaways:

• Trump's recent executive order halts U.S. refugee resettlement for Afghans, leaving many in limbo.
• Approximately 20,000 Afghans in Pakistan are affected, with fears of arrest and deportation looming.
• Advocates are urging Pakistan to extend visas and provide humanitarian relief as tensions rise.

As Afghan refugees continue to face precarious conditions in Pakistan, they have publicly appealed to the Pakistani government for assistance following the suspension of U.S. refugee resettlement programs by President Trump. This recent policy shift has resulted in stating that the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which was designed to aid Afghans at risk from the Taliban due to their collaboration with U.S. forces and agencies, will be paused effective January 27, leaving many Afghans in uncertainty.

Reports indicate that approximately 20,000 Afghans are currently waiting in Pakistan for their resettlement applications to be processed, with many already approved and poised to travel. Advocates, including members of the Afghan USRAP Refugees group, have criticized the suspension, voicing that it amounts to a humanitarian crisis. Ahmad Shah, a representative of the group, emphasized, “We request Pakistan to extend our stay for at least six months after the expiry of our visas,” highlighting the growing sense of desperation among those affected.

Among the countless individuals affected, many are women and children who fear returning to Afghanistan, where Taliban rule has led to the widespread abuse of women's rights, including bans on education and public engagement. Mahnoosh Monir, a former medical student who fled to Pakistan, shared her disbelief at the cessation of resettlement efforts, stating, “I didn’t expect this suspension to happen. A long span of waiting makes us think of very disappointing probabilities.” Monir is one among many, including activists and journalists, whose lives are endangered by the Taliban's regime.

In light of the dire circumstances, advocates have also pushed for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to consider easing visa regulations for those refugees currently in the country. “We don’t want to live here permanently,” Shah has asserted, reinforcing the urgency of their plea to the international community, particularly the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other humanitarian bodies.

Many refugees previously anticipated their departure dates and have since faced distress resulting from Trump’s executive action, which critics, including advocacy groups, have labeled as “cruel” and “racially motivated.” The response from advocates has included open letters to U.S. officials urging a reconsideration of these policies.

The situation is compounded by a segment of Afghans now opting for perilous routes through South America to seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border as the conflict in Afghanistan and the administration’s stance continue to jeopardize their safety.

As they wait for a resolution, Afghans in Pakistan echo a disturbing reality; they remain under the looming threat of arrest and deportation. “Returning to my home country means taking a huge risk,” lamented journalist Sarfraz Ahmed, who now relies on advocacy and humanitarian support to navigate this intricate and dangerous predicament.

Subsequently, the lack of clarity around the resumption of the USRAP raises further concerns. For many, the vague timelines set forth by the Trump administration concerning evaluations of the embassy’s stance on the refugee program have felt like a waiting game for the uncertain future.

The recent development has ushered in a period of mounting anxiety, as AP News highlights the voices of those affected, asserting a call for immediate action to provide solace to the suffering Afghan populace.