The AfghanEvac coalition has announced that US immigration authorities are planning to resume deportations of asylum seekers to Afghanistan after November 16. The advocacy group urged the US Congress to take immediate action to halt the process.
According to AfghanEvac, US federal courts have temporarily stayed the removal of several Afghan asylum seekers to Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, it remains uncertain what further legal steps advocacy groups can take if immigration agencies insist on proceeding after the mid-November deadline.
Shawn VanDiver, head of AfghanEvac, stated that the Trump administration has ended temporary stay protections for Afghans relocated following the fall of Kabul who have not yet secured permanent asylum. He noted that applications for permanent residency, asylum, and work permits have stalled for months within US immigration offices.
VanDiver explained that most affected individuals entered under humanitarian parole, which has now expired. The US government also previously terminated Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan.
The organisation welcomed a legislative effort led by Representatives Jason Crow and Sam Liccardo, who filed a discharge petition to force a vote on an Afghan protection measure. Under their proposed legislation, Afghanistan would be designated for TPS through 2029, allowing eligible Afghans to legally reside and work in the US without fear of deportation while cases are reviewed.
The bill would also require the Department of Homeland Security to issue decisions on cases within 90 days of completing biometric and security vetting.
AfghanEvac urged lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties to sign the petition, which requires 218 signatures to reach the House floor for a vote.
Source: AfghanEvac
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