Thousands of Afghans evacuated during America’s 2021 withdrawal may soon face deportation after the government announced it will end their Temporary Protected Status (TPS). The decision is sparking concern from veterans and refugee advocates who say conditions in Afghanistan remain deadly.
Key Facts:
- The Department of Homeland Security will end TPS for Afghans in May 2025, affecting over 14,000 people.
- TPS was granted after the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan during the Biden administration.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem determined Afghanistan no longer meets the legal requirements for TPS.
- Veteran groups argue the situation in Afghanistan has worsened, not improved, under Taliban rule.
- Cameroonian nationals will also lose TPS status in June 2025, impacting around 7,000 individuals.
The Rest of the Story: Why TPS for Afghanistan Was Revoked
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced it will terminate Temporary Protected Status for Afghans who were allowed to remain in the United States following the fall of Kabul in 2021.
The decision means that over 14,000 Afghan nationals may be eligible for deportation starting in May 2025.
TPS is a legal protection granted to people from countries facing war, natural disasters, or humanitarian crises that make safe return impossible.
Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, TPS was extended to thousands of evacuees, many of whom had helped U.S. military forces.
However, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem ruled that Afghanistan no longer meets the requirements for TPS renewal.
According to spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, the government concluded that the current conditions do not justify continued protections.
Commentary: Deporting Afghan Allies Sends the Wrong Message
Ending TPS for Afghans is more than a bureaucratic decision—it’s a moral and strategic one.
Many of those affected were pulled from the chaos of Kabul’s collapse, during an exit that was poorly managed and rushed.
Western governments are flying their citizens out of Kabul again after the airport was closed for several hours.
US forces control the airport, the last exit point out of Afghanistan not overseen by the Taliban. pic.twitter.com/efsHXzqYmn
— DW Asia (@dw_hotspotasia) August 17, 2021
These people didn’t sneak across a border; they were invited—airlifted out as the Taliban seized control.
Some of them were interpreters, engineers, or support staff who worked side-by-side with American soldiers.
Others were women and children fleeing a regime known for brutality, especially toward females.
Deporting them now, with the Taliban still firmly in control, is a move that disregards the sacrifices they made on behalf of U.S. missions.
#BREAKING: The #Taliban blocking the "exit doors" at the #Kabul airport. pic.twitter.com/NApfoBgpsP
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) August 19, 2021
However, many of these evacuees were not fully vetted in 2021 due to the rushed nature of the withdrawal.
That makes national security a concern, but it’s a concern that should have been addressed at the time.
It is unclear how the administration plans to move forward.
Deporting en masse, without distinguishing between those who helped the U.S. and those who didn’t, would be morally bankrupt.
Yes, America should enforce its immigration laws.
But there’s a clear distinction between migrants who enter illegally and allies who answered our call for help.
There is still hope some may qualify for asylum. That process, however, is complex and slow—and many may fall through the cracks.
The government’s decision that those connected to the U.S. no longer face threats justifying Temporary Protected Status is glaringly wrong. We are committed to working with the U.S. government to ensure our allies are protected through TPS and the Afghan SIV program.
— No One Left Behind (@n1leftbehind) April 11, 2025
The administration should ensure those who supported U.S. troops are not left to the mercy of the Taliban.
The Bottom Line: Why This Decision Matters for Afghan Refugees
The revocation of TPS for Afghans could put thousands at risk of deportation back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
Many came here at America’s invitation and helped our troops.
The decision separates legal enforcement from moral responsibility, and it could have long-term consequences for how the U.S. is viewed by allies around the world.
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