US terminates temporary protected status program for Afghans

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, a move that could lead to the deportation of over 9,000 Afghans currently residing in the country, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday.

“This administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent,” Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said in a statement.

“Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevents them from returning to their home country.”​​​​​​​

TPS is a humanitarian program that offers temporary legal status and work authorization to nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary conditions that make return unsafe.

Afghanistan was first designated for TPS following the US withdrawal and the Taliban’s takeover of the country in 2021.