Betrayal; U.S. Turns Against Its Afghan Allies
DIDPress: Just Security has reported that at great personal peril, Afghans left their homes, possessions, and loved ones behind. For many, fleeing meant the difference between life and death. That’s why thousands initially received Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States.

The fall of Kabul is still fresh in memory. Many Afghans who worked alongside Americans in military, diplomatic, and development missions understood the risks they faced. Thousands ran to the airport in panic, with no clear plan—only to be met with chaos.
More than 8,200 Afghans were granted TPS last year.
However, in April, news emerged that the Trump-administration planned to end the TPS designation for Afghanistan. On May 12, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an formal notice saying that the program would end on May 20, and that TPS protections for Afghans living in the U.S. would officially expire on July 14. This decision could lead to the deportation of many Afghan nationals residing in the country.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem cited “improved security conditions and a stabilizing economy” in Afghanistan as the reason for the decision, claiming there were no longer barriers to their return.
However, contrary to the DHS’s statement, conditions in Afghanistan have not improved. In fact, the country’s economic and human rights situation has deteriorated significantly—an outcome many observers consider a direct result of U.S.-led Western intervention.
If TPS is fully terminated on July 14, thousands of Afghan allies will be left vulnerable. Many do not qualify for alternative legal protections such as the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) or asylum due to strict eligibility criteria. Others may face deportation before they can complete the lengthy and complex legal processes required for more permanent status.
The deportation of Afghan allies is not only an unjust administrative decision—it is a betrayal. This decision must be reversed, and TPS for Afghan nationals must be extended before they are forced to endure further suffering.