Update
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Trump cancels flights for Afghan refugees approved to come to US.

Trump cancels flights for Afghan refugees approved to come to US.
By Andrew Dyer / Military and Veteran Affairs Reporter

The Trump Administration canceled all pending and future flights for refugees approved to come to the U.S., according to an internal U.S. State Department email sent late Tuesday and shared with reporters by advocates.

An executive order signed Monday suspended refugee admissions effective Jan. 27, offering a narrow window for those approved to travel. As of Jan. 21, however, that window is closed.

The move stunned advocates who've worked to resettle Afghans in the U.S. since Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021. Shawn VanDiver is the president of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of veterans and advocates who organized to help Afghans navigate the complicated U.S. immigration system after the chaotic collapse of Kabul.

The San Diego Navy veteran said this move has set off further chaos.

"It feels a lot like August 2021 where nobody knows what's happening," VanDiver told KPBS Wednesday. "Veterans, advocates (and) Afghans are all freaking out, worried about the people that they love."

Tens of thousands of Afghans have resettled in the U.S. since 2021 but many thousands remain in the country threatened by the Taliban.

"Refugees means partner forces that stood alongside our U.S. forces," VanDiver said. "It means family, children (and) babies that were separated during the withdrawal and after. It means lawyers, judges and prosecutors who put the Taliban away."

A State Department spokesperson confirmed in an email Wednesday the agency suspended refugee arrivals and would cease processing activities. They did not respond to questions about future plans for Afghan resettlement.

According to Reuters, nearly 1,660 Afghans approved for resettlement in the U.S. had their flights canceled through April. Among them are family members of current active duty U.S. military personnel, Reuters reported.
Top | New | Old
Shaveit · 61-69, M
GOOD. We have too many people here that need to be taken care of ACTUAL US CITIZENS when did he get our mess under control before we can drag others into the mix. It’s already been proven. This in flow of refugees has brought criminals sought on destroying our country.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
JSul3 · 70-79
@Shaveit Be careful there....America First will lead to America Alone.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
Sure lets just abandon allies and people who assisted us. Naturally want to vette those who want to come for bad actors, but they were people we left behind.....
@VeronicaJane Trump treats our allies worse than he treats our enemies.
Our town has a whole mosque for the people who killed their countrymen for the USA in Afghanistan. One from Iraq. Another church or six, maybe from Ukraine. Maybe we are full of soldiers for the USA.
@BizSuitStacy you have about as much character and empathy as he does. Nothing to be proud of
@RockerDad You have about as much brains as Biden. That's something to be embarrassed about.
FreddieUK · 70-79, M
A disgusting act devoid of compassion or human empathy.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
@basilfawlty89 Let’s say Trump was of the opinion he’d get them out. What concessions would need to be made? Would the Taliban even consider such a move. And are all the Americans out of there?
This is not a “ Hey give up those Afghanis and let us have them, we’ll take them”. Taliban does not necessarily work like that.
This comment is hidden. Show Comment
Betrayal seems to US policy now.
@basilfawlty89 I think they did the best they could, under the circumstances in Vietnam
basilfawlty89 · 36-40, M
@RockerDad regardless. My point is let's try to save innocent lives.
@basilfawlty89 canceling the flights is inexcusable
DonaldTrumpet · 70-79, M
IRaNz CanZ TakeZ DeM
ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M
Ah, if only they were European sex workers he'd be flying them in.
@ChipmunkErnie or even just looked European
This comment is hidden. Show Comment

 
Post Comment