The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the termination of temporary protected status for approximately 14,600 Afghans and 7,900 Cameroonians, claiming improvements in safety. Affected individuals express fear and uncertainty regarding their future as the Trump administration tightens immigration rules.
Trump Administration Moves to Terminate Protections for Afghans and Cameroonians
Trump Administration Moves to Terminate Protections for Afghans and Cameroonians
Thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians are set to lose their temporary protected status as conditions in their home countries are deemed safe enough for return.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will terminate the temporary protected status (TPS) for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians, a decision announced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This measure affects around 14,600 Afghans, who will lose their protections in May, and approximately 7,900 Cameroonians, who will be stripped of theirs in June.
TPS is typically allocated to nationals from certain countries experiencing turmoil due to armed conflict or environmental disasters, ensuring they aren't sent back to dangerous conditions. Noem justified the decision, suggesting that the safety conditions in Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer warrant such federal protections, during a statement from DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Previously, in September 2023, the former Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, had announced an 18-month extension of TPS for Afghans, lasting until May 2024. However, after consultations with various government agencies, Noem retracted that extension, citing reviews indicating Afghanistan no longer met the necessary conditions for TPS safeguarding. A similar announcement was made regarding Cameroon earlier in April.
Furthermore, the decision aligns with recent shifts in immigration policies under the Trump administration, with over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela facing possible deportation after Trump suspended a Biden-era sponsorship program.
Affected individuals have openly shared their distress over losing their protected status. Shukriah, an Afghan journalist now living in Washington, D.C., discussed the grave implications for her family's safety, stating that the fear of deportation has severely affected her health. In a distressing email from DHS, she was instructed to leave the U.S. immediately upon termination of her status.
The ongoing wave of deportations fueled by the Trump administration has reignited concerns about immigration policies, with reports noting that approximately 37,660 individuals were deported in just one month of his return to office. The administration's approach to immigration is exemplified by its recent crackdown on pro-Palestinian protestors, leading to visa revocations for international students and subsequent deportations.
The broader impact of these political shifts is felt in the community, leaving many unsure about the future amidst changing legal protections and the increasing threat of deportation hanging over their heads.
