US Veterans and Afghan Allies March to Oppose Deportation of Afghan Migrants

DID Press: More than 150 US military veterans, Afghan allies and other frontline civilians marched near the US Capitol, urging Congress to prevent the deportation of thousands of Afghans living in the United States and pass legislation restoring their Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

The demonstrators gathered in Washington to protest the Trump administration’s decision to terminate immigration protections for Afghan nationals and called on members of Congress to take action to safeguard their legal status in the country.

Shawn VanDiver, president of the AfghanEvac coalition, emphasised the United States’ responsibility towards Afghans who worked alongside American forces during the US military presence in Afghanistan. He called for passage of the Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026, saying American veterans would not abandon their Afghan allies.

Afghan migrants participating in the demonstration also expressed concern about the consequences of being forcibly returned to Afghanistan, warning that deportation could put their lives and security at risk.

The Trump administration announced the termination of Afghanistan’s Temporary Protected Status in May 2025, with the decision taking effect on July 14 that year. According to published reports, more than 8,000 Afghans in the United States are at risk of losing immigration protections and facing deportation.