• Trump administration ends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for approximately 14,600 Afghans and 7,900 Cameroonians in the U.S.
• The designation was meant to protect individuals facing unsafe conditions in their home countries due to conflict or disasters.
• Advocates argue that conditions in both Afghanistan and Cameroon remain dire and unsafe for return.
• The decision has drawn swift criticism from immigrant advocacy groups highlighting Trump's immigration policies.
• The change takes effect with Afghans set to lose protections by May and Cameroonians by June.

In a significant shift of immigration policy, the Trump administration has officially terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians currently residing in the United States. This decision affects approximately 14,600 Afghans, with their protections slated to expire on May 20, while protections for around 7,900 Cameroonians will cease in June. This announcement was made by a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), underlining a commitment to a stricter immigration policy initiated under former President Trump.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that upon reviewing the current conditions in both Afghanistan and Cameroon, government officials determined that the conditions no longer justified the protections afforded by TPS. According to The Hill, the decision followed consultations with various federal agencies and was based on a review by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Historically, TPS is granted to nationals whose home countries face unsafe conditions due to civil strife or natural disasters, providing crucial protection from deportation along with work authorization. Advocates for Afghan and Cameroonian nationals quickly condemned the decision, stressing that the security situations in both countries remain critical. As Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president of Global Refuge, articulated, “Nothing about that reality has changed,” as Afghanistan continues to experience widespread turmoil under Taliban rule, while Cameroon remains embroiled in conflict with separatist forces since 2017.

Opponents of the policy have criticized the Trump administration's approach to TPS, arguing that it reflects a broader campaign to dismantle protection systems established under previous administrations. Recent history of TPS changes includes attempts to revoke protections for Venezuelans, which were temporarily blocked by a federal judge due to concerns over the handling of migrant status and the risks to their safety if returned to their homeland. This situation underscores the ongoing tension surrounding U.S. immigration policy, particularly as many Afghans who aided U.S. forces during the conflict are now facing the prospect of returning to a country that has become increasingly dangerous.

As the situation develops, affected individuals have been encouraged to seek assistance through available resources. Reports of migrants receiving urgent notices from DHS warning them to leave the U.S. have emerged, with specific individuals highlighting the emotional toll of such abrupt policy changes. “The fear of deportation has deeply affected my mental and physical health,” expressed one Afghan national recently notified of her impending deportation. Advocates are now calling for more robust support measures to protect those who served alongside U.S. forces as well as a reassessment of the safety conditions in their respective countries of origin.

The Trump administration's latest moves surrounding TPS come against the backdrop of a polarized political climate and ongoing debates over immigration policy. Multiple sources, including NPR, underline the urgency and implications of this significant policy change as the affected populations brace for the consequences.

For more information on this developing story, you can refer to [Al Jazeera].