Trump Administration’s Afghan Interview Plan Sparks Backlash
DID Press: Trump administration is facing criticism over a new initiative to interview approximately 800 Afghan nationals living in the United States, with refugee advocates warning that the information collected could later be used for immigration enforcement or deportation.
According to US media reports, the Office of Refugee Resettlement said the interviews are part of a “Well-Being Assessment Initiative” aimed at identifying common challenges facing Afghan refugees, particularly vulnerable individuals.
An internal email obtained by The Washington Post indicates that participants will be asked about their identities, integration into American society, and the immigration status of all family members. Respondents are also informed that their answers will not be anonymous and that the information may be retained for up to 15 years.
Shawn VanDiver, founder of the advocacy group AfghanEvac, said the interviews appear to have begun in recent days, adding that it remains unclear how the collected information will ultimately be used. He argued there is no legitimate justification for the initiative and expressed concern that it could facilitate future deportations.
Beit Oppenheim, chief executive of the refugee support organization HIAS, also warned that many Afghans in the United States are living under growing uncertainty. He said many have seen legal immigration pathways narrowed, while hopes of family reunification continue to diminish.
Advocacy groups note that over the past 18 months the US government has suspended most refugee resettlement programs, ended temporary protections for some Afghans, paused the issuance of new visas, and imposed additional travel restrictions on Afghan nationals.
Reports also indicate that more than 1,000 Afghan nationals evacuated to a US transit facility in Qatar following the 2021 fall of Kabul remain in legal limbo, while US authorities are reportedly considering relocating them to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.