Afghans for Trump leader urges reversal of decision to end refugee protections
The “Afghans for Trump” movement, which once campaigned to put Donald Trump in the White House, is now expressing feelings of abandonment by his administration’s decision to revoke legal protections for thousands of Afghan refugees living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). Zoubair Sangi, the leader of the movement, formed after the chaotic 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, stated that his community turned to Trump after the Biden administration’s exit left their homeland in turmoil. Sangi is now urging President Trump to reconsider the decision to revoke TPS for Afghan nationals.
Sangi highlighted the dangerous situation in Afghanistan, emphasizing that the country is not safe, especially since the return of the Taliban. He criticized the Department of Homeland Security’s claim of an “improved security situation,” stating that it does not reflect the reality on the ground. Sangi pointed out that the Taliban, classified as a terrorist group, target anyone who disagrees with them, putting lives at grave risk. He also highlighted the dire conditions faced by women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where they are deprived of basic rights and freedoms.
Despite feeling abandoned by the administration’s decision, Sangi has not withdrawn his support for Trump. He praised Trump for his stance against recognizing the Taliban and for ending foreign aid to Afghanistan under Taliban control. Sangi urged Trump not to engage with the Taliban, citing their refusal to return military equipment and their harboring of terrorists as reasons to avoid any deals with them.
The Department of Homeland Security officially ended TPS for Afghan nationals on Monday, potentially impacting over 9,000 individuals who may now be forced to return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The decision was justified by Secretary Kristi Noem citing an “improved security situation” and stabilizing economy in Afghanistan. The termination of TPS aligns with the administration’s goal of rooting out fraud and national security threats in the immigration system.
Former Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul disagreed with the assertion that the security situation in Afghanistan had improved. He urged the administration to prioritize the safety of Afghan men and women who risked their lives to help U.S. troops, cautioning against revoking the immigration status of Afghans on SIVs or other visas.
The “Afghans for Trump” movement is now calling on President Trump to reconsider the decision to revoke TPS for Afghan nationals, emphasizing the continued dangers faced by those in Afghanistan. They hope that any mistakes made in regards to Afghanistan will be corrected and that the administration will prioritize the safety and well-being of Afghan refugees in the U.S.
