Following the Taliban’s takeover, many Afghans who worked with the U.S. face dire consequences due to a suspension of the refugee program by Donald Trump. Journalist Hamed Paykar and lawyer Shakoofa Khalili recount their struggles and fears for safety, as deportations increase and the deadline for leaving Pakistan approaches. This situation highlights the dangers Afghans face if forced to return home.

Many Afghan individuals who collaborated with U.S. forces now face perilous circumstances following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Journalist Hamed Paykar and his family, having lived in Pakistan for over three years, previously anticipated their immigration to the United States after meeting all necessary requirements for P-2 visas. However, this hope was dashed when Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the U.S. refugee program, cancelling their scheduled flight and leaving them in uncertainty.

By suspending the refugee program, nearly 1,660 approved Afghan refugees had their flights cancelled, and many more were left stranded in a state of limbo regarding their resettlement. The initial 90-day suspension generated uncertainty but suggested a potential reopening for resettlement. However, reports indicate that a new travel ban could soon prevent Afghan refugees from entering the U.S., citing security concerns.

Moreover, Pakistan’s interior ministry has mandated that all undocumented foreigners, including Afghan citizens, leave the country voluntarily by March 31, 2025, or face deportation. This order poses additional risk for approximately 600,000 Afghans who sought refuge in Pakistan following the Taliban’s return to power.

Paykar expressed a profound sense of hopelessness regarding resettlement in the U.S., stating, “We have not entirely given up…but the most painful part is that we have wasted three years waiting.” He underscored the frightening reality that returning to Afghanistan could equate to a death sentence for him and his family. Similarly, lawyer Shakoofa Khalili detailed the trauma she and her family experienced, having fled to Pakistan after being targeted for her activism.

Khalili highlighted the fears and dangers faced by many Afghans in Pakistan, stating that she and others feel abandoned by the U.S. government, which once offered them hope. Numerous Afghans subjected to deportation back to Afghanistan have described living in constant fear for their lives, fearing imprisonment or worse, following their return.

As of early February, over 800 Afghans had already been deported from Pakistan. The United Nations has documented growing arrests and fear among Afghan nationals as the situation worsens. One individual, Naveed, shared that he is now back in Afghanistan, living under constant threat, and desperately yearning to escape again, reflecting the plight of many who feel trapped in dire circumstances.

In summary, Afghan refugees who once trusted the United States for resettlement now find themselves facing immense uncertainty and fear due to restrictive policies and executive orders. With growing concerns about their safety and the tightening of regulations in Pakistan, many Afghans feel abandoned and see the looming return to their homeland as a potential death sentence. The plight of these individuals underscores the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding for those left vulnerable following the U.S. withdrawal and Taliban resurgence.

Original Source: www.abc.net.au

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