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US Ends Temporary Deportation Protections for Thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians
The US Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will terminate the temporary deportation protections for thousands of Afghans and Cameroonians. This decision marks a significant policy shift as the agency reassesses the conditions in these countries.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has concluded that the circumstances in Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer satisfy the criteria necessary for protection under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, according to a statement from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
An estimated 14,600 Afghans who were previously eligible for TPS will lose their protections come May, while around 7,900 Cameroonians will see theirs terminated in June.
This announcement coincided with a ruling from a US judge regarding the deportation of a university graduate involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, adding to the contentious atmosphere surrounding immigration policy.
TPS provides refuge to nationals from designated countries experiencing conflict or natural disasters that render conditions in their home countries unsafe for return. The status is typically valid for 18 months and can be renewed by the Secretary of Homeland Security, granting recipients access to work permits and protection from deportation.
In September 2023, then-Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas had extended TPS for Afghans for an additional 18 months, valid until May 20 of this year. However, Secretary Noem’s determination, made on March 21 following consultations with various government agencies, concluded that Afghanistan no longer met the necessary statutory requirements for TPS designation. This assessment was based on a review from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding the situation in Afghanistan, where the Taliban regained control almost four years prior.
A similar decision regarding Cameroonians was made on April 7, according to McLaughlin’s statement. Additionally, the past month saw the Trump administration announce plans to revoke the temporary legal status of more than half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Individuals removed from these protections have been advised to prepare for their deportation, with their permits and protections set to expire on April 24. However, the impact of changing immigration rules extends beyond those under TPS.
Shukriah, a pseudonym for an Afghan woman residing in Washington, DC, recently shared her distress following the DHS notice indicating that she must leave the United States. Having fled Afghanistan with her family through an arduous journey spanning 11 countries, she now grapples with the anxiety of potential deportation.
“The fear of deportation has deeply affected my mental and physical health,” Shukriah, who is seven months pregnant, expressed. An email from DHS warned her that her parole would terminate shortly, urging immediate departure or facing law enforcement actions.
Shukriah’s situation is complicated further by the uncertainty surrounding her and her husband’s asylum cases. “I don’t know what steps to take now, and I am very afraid of what will happen to me and my family,” she lamented.
Immigration policy has remained a focal point since the Trump administration, which campaigned heavily on stringent immigration measures. Recently, data revealed that although deportations in Trump’s first month back in office were lower than the monthly average during the previous administration, efforts to enforce stricter immigration controls are still underway.
The Trump administration has also acted against international students, revoking visas to curtail pro-Palestinian activism on university campuses. An example includes a recent ruling that allows for the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a permanent resident who was detained in Louisiana, with claims that his arrest is linked to his advocacy for Palestinian rights.
In a social media statement, Noem praised the court’s decision, emphasizing that visas and green cards should not be granted to individuals who support violence or terrorism. “Good riddance,” she concluded.
As discussions about immigration policy continue to evolve, advocates and those affected by these changes remain vigilant and concerned about their futures in the US.
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