Afghan Evac President: Afghan Refugees in US Given 7-Day Notice to Leave

Afghan refugees in the U.S. have been given a seven-day notice to leave, according to the Afghan Evac president.

Shawn VanDiver, president of Afghan Evac—a U.S.-based organization supporting Afghan refugees—has stated that the U.S. government has given Afghan refugees with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) a seven-day deadline to leave the country.

According to VanDiver, a number of Afghan refugees in the United States have already received official notices from the government ordering them to depart.

He has urged Afghan refugees not to leave the country without first consulting with their legal counsel.

U.S. media reported on Thursday, April 17, that some Afghan refugees received an email from the Department of Homeland Security giving them a one-week deadline to leave the country. The email warned that failure to comply would lead to federal arrest.

This development follows earlier reports by U.S. media quoting Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, who confirmed that the Trump administration has revoked Temporary Protected Status for 14,600 Afghan nationals in the United States.

According to these reports, the affected individuals now face the risk of deportation by May 2025.

McLaughlin stated that Kristi Noem, the new Secretary of Homeland Security, has determined that the current conditions in Afghanistan no longer meet the criteria for granting protected status.

The U.S. TPS program is intended for individuals from countries experiencing natural disasters, armed conflict, or extraordinary circumstances. Termination of this status could place thousands at risk of removal, despite ongoing instability in their home country.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post has reported that the order to deport Afghan migrants has been issued at an inappropriate time, criticizing the decision. The newspaper emphasizes that this policy comes when Afghanistan is still facing severe instability and humanitarian challenges.

The report further highlights that deporting Afghan migrants, many of whom have fled violence and insecurity, could exacerbate the already dire situation in the country. Critics argue that such a decision disregards the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the need for continued international support for those affected.

Human rights advocates have warned that forcibly sending Afghan refugees back amid continued humanitarian and security crises violates international protection norms. Many of these individuals fled persecution and may face serious threats if returned.

Legal and humanitarian organizations are calling on the U.S. government to reconsider the decision, urging renewed assessments of conditions in Afghanistan and the reestablishment of protected legal pathways for vulnerable individuals.

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