Afghan refugees are expressing feelings of betrayal and hopelessness due to recent immigration orders from the US, which have cut off potential pathways for their resettlement.
Afghan Refugees Facing Despair Over US Immigration Policies Amid Trump’s Executive Orders
Afghan Refugees Facing Despair Over US Immigration Policies Amid Trump’s Executive Orders
As Trump suspends Afghan refugee resettlement, many face a bleak future
Many Afghan refugees are grappling with despair and a sense of abandonment following former President Donald Trump's executive orders that have suspended all flights and applications for Afghan resettlement. Abdullah, who served as an interpreter for US forces, and other refugees have voiced their views to the BBC, expressing a deep sense of betrayal after dedicating years to support American troops and officials in Afghanistan. Trump’s rationale for the executive order, aimed at managing what he termed “record levels of migration,” allows no exemptions for families of active-duty servicemembers.
Abdullah, who fled Afghanistan in August 2021, fears for his sister and her husband, who remain trapped under Taliban rule, having been unable to secure passage before the withdrawal. He describes his sister’s hopelessness, saying that the situation has become unbearable. Official assurances from the Taliban—claiming safety for those who collaborated with international forces—are met with skepticism, especially in light of UN reports highlighting ongoing violence against former government officials.
Other refugees, like Babak, who served as a legal advisor to the Afghan Air Force, illustrate the perilous state of those remaining in Afghanistan. He shares gruesome accounts of the retaliation faced by his family due to their affiliations. Babak's repeated appeals to US officials reflect a desperation as he safely relocates his wife and child, fearful for their lives. Ahmad, another Afghan refugee, recounts the struggles of his family left behind in Pakistan, exacerbated by their ties to the US military.
In addition to their personal struggles, the complexity of Afghan refugees' plight is compounded by their status in Pakistan, where expulsion fears loom large due to new government directives. Meanwhile, organizations like #AfghanEvac report thousands of Afghans still navigating the maze of the US resettlement process. As hopes dim and waiting turns into despair, many Afghans feel doubly trapped—endangered at home and forgotten abroad, all while a clear path forward remains blocked.
