At least two Afghans in the United States have been ordered to report in-person to an immigration office on federal holidays, specifically on December 25 and January 1. These individuals, who previously assisted American personnel during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan, received these notifications from immigration authorities, raising significant concerns among advocacy groups about the implications of such scheduling.
The group #AfghanEvac highlighted the unusual nature of these check-in appointments, noting that they occur on major federal and religious holidays when legal resources and support are typically limited. “Scheduling immigration enforcement actions on major federal and religious holidays […] places individuals in a coercive position,” the organization stated. There is growing anxiety that these check-ins could be used to detain individuals for deportation.
Recent trends indicate that immigrants attending routine check-ins have increasingly faced detainment by federal agents, often without clear communication regarding their whereabouts post-arrest. In response to these developments, Shawn VanDiver, the president of #AfghanEvac, is urging affected Afghans to reach out for support during these appointments.
The legal landscape for Afghan immigrants has become increasingly precarious, with many individuals caught in a state of legal limbo due to a lack of durable status provided by Congress. The situation has been exacerbated by the actions of the Trump administration, which has implemented various measures impacting Afghan parolees and evacuees.
In May 2023, the administration eliminated the Operation Enduring Welcome program, which was designed to facilitate the relocation of vetted Afghan allies, and dismantled the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts. Although the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program remains in place, processing has slowed significantly, affecting tens of thousands of applicants.
Legal experts emphasize the importance of attending scheduled check-ins, as missing an appointment can lead to immediate deportation. “Afghan parolees and evacuees remain in legal limbo because Congress has failed to provide durable status, not because they have violated the law,” #AfghanEvac stated.
On December 5, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the establishment of a new vetting center aimed at enhancing the screening of immigration applications. This decision follows the administration’s previous moves to reassess the status of immigrants, particularly those from Afghanistan.
As of now, over 70,000 Afghans have arrived in the United States since the chaotic withdrawal in August 2021. The Department of Homeland Security reports that another 180,000 individuals are awaiting entry through the SIV program. Additionally, approximately 65,000 refugees and 15,000 Afghans are pending family reunification.
The implications of the Trump administration’s immigration policies have led to a significantly backlogged system. Reports indicate that since January 20, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has referred over 14,400 immigrants to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulting in at least 2,400 arrests at USCIS offices.
As advocates continue to monitor the situation, the upcoming holidays present not only a time for celebration but also a critical juncture for many Afghans facing uncertainty in their immigration status. The decisions made during this period could have lasting effects on the lives of those who have already endured significant hardships.
