Afghan Refugees Summoned During Christmas as US Tightens Immigration Controls

DID Press: US Immigration authorities have summoned a number of Afghan refugees for documentation and administrative hearings during the Christmas and New Year holidays, limiting their access to legal representation.

Reports indicate that the summonses, aimed at reviewing immigration cases, were scheduled on official holidays including Christmas Day, January 1, and weekends, when government offices are usually closed, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg.

The Trump administration’s termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for many of these individuals has exposed them to potential detention and deportation. Sean Vandiver, head of the organization AfghanEvac, commented: “Calling refugees during official and religious holidays, when access to lawyers and legal services is restricted, does not seem ordinary.”

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security described the process as “routine and longstanding,” stating that immigration case reviews continue even during holidays.

Following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national targeting U.S. National Guard members, the Trump administration announced that all refugee cases for individuals who entered the U.S. under the Biden administration will be re-evaluated.

The review of Afghan refugees’ green card applications has been halted, and visa issuance for Afghan nationals is nearly completely suspended, including holders of special visas. The U.S. State Department has also closed its special office handling Afghan nationals who collaborated with U.S. forces.