US Cancels Flights for Afghan Refugees After Trump’s Executive Order

Trump's executive order puts the fate of Afghan refugees in limbo

Wed Jan 22 2025
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WASHINGTON: The United States has cancelled flights for nearly 1,660 Afghan refugees, many of whom remain stranded in Pakistan, following President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending US refugee programmes.

This decision affected individuals who were previously approved for resettlement in the United States under a special programme designed to help those who assisted US forces during the Afghanistan conflict.

The executive order, titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Programmes,” says the admission of refugees under the programmes “would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. The programme is being suspended, beginning on January 27, for at least 90 days, if not longer.

The order says that, after 90 days, the secretaries of Homeland Security and State will submit a report to Trump on whether or not the programme “would be in the interests of the United States.”

Shawn VanDiver, head of the AfghanEvac coalition of US veterans and advocacy groups, confirmed the cancellations.

The move by the US administration has raised concerns among rights groups and refugee organisations, who argue that it undermines the U.S. commitment to support those who risked their lives in service to protect American interests.

Supporters of the refugees are urging the US administration to reconsider its decision, stressing the urgent need for resettlement and assistance for those facing dire circumstances in Afghanistan.

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Trump announced an immigration crackdown a major promise of his election campaign, leaving the fate of U.S. refugee programmes in limbo.

Nearly 200,000 Afghans have been resettled in the United States under the administration of former President Joe Biden following the chaotic withdrawal of US troops from Kabul.

The new White House website noted that former President Trump had “suspended refugee resettlement, citing the strain on community safety and resources caused by large and unsustainable migrant populations.”

Among those removed from flights are an unspecified number of Afghans who served the former US-backed Kabul government, as well as approximately 200 unaccompanied children.

These children include those whose Afghan parents sent them alone to the United States during the US withdrawal, according to VanDive and a US official.

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