Afghan Refugees Express Anguish Over Trump’s Resettlement Order

Afghan refugees are expressing despair and feelings of betrayal following President Trump’s executive order halting the resettlement program for those who assisted U.S. forces. Many are now trapped, fearing for their lives while being separated from their families amid rising tensions with the Taliban.

In the wake of President Trump’s immigration order, Afghan refugees who once stood as allies with U.S. forces are feeling increasingly despondent and abandoned. Abdullah, a former interpreter for U.S. troops, expressed his dismay, stating, "It's like the United States doesn't actually understand what I did for this country, it's a betrayal." His family remains in Afghanistan, and with the recent halt on flights and resettlement applications, Abdullah is faced with the harsh reality that he may never see them again.

The executive order aims to curb what Trump describes as "record levels of migration" that threaten resources for Americans, without offering leniency for Afghan families tied to active servicemembers. With mounting safety concerns, Abdullah’s sister is left in despair as she is now a target due to his past work with U.S. forces.

While the Taliban government assures that an amnesty is in place, a UN report contradicts these claims, indicating that individuals associated with the previous regime face significant danger. Another Afghan, Babak, a former legal adviser with the Air Force, is in hiding fearing for his family’s safety after his brother was allegedly tortured searching for him. He voices his anguish, saying, "They’re not just breaking their promise to us - they're breaking us."

Ahmad, a non-profit worker who suffered wounds from Taliban fighters, left for the U.S. amid the withdrawal but fears for his relatives still in Afghanistan. His family also bravely served during their tenure in the military, and the precariousness of their situation increases with each passing day. Ahmad declares, “I can't sleep knowing I'm one of the reasons they're in this situation.”

Mina, who is pregnant, has lingered in Islamabad for six months for her resettlement and worries for her unborn child; she has faced threats for advocating women’s rights. As tensions grow in Pakistan over Afghan refugees, many fear returning to a hostile Afghanistan. With the Pakistani government expelling those without legal status, Afghans stranded in this region face an uncertain and perilous fate.

As hope for resettlement within the U.S. dwindles, these Afghan allies are caught in a dangerous limbo, anxiously awaiting a future that seems increasingly bleak. They were once anchored by the promise of protection from the U.S., which now feels out of reach.