The United States has begun revoking the permanent residency (Green Cards) of some Afghan immigrants, prompting serious concern among the Afghan diaspora and human rights organisations.
The unprecedented move has been carried out with minimal public notification, intensifying anxiety and uncertainty for those affected.
One Afghan immigrant, who arrived in the US three years ago under the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programme and fulfilled all legal requirements for permanent residency, reported receiving an official letter from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) informing him of the revocation of his Green Card.
The letter granted a three-month window to submit valid documentation and appeal the decision. If the appeal fails, the individual will be required to leave the United States.
According to informed sources, the US government’s main concern stems from security and administrative doubts regarding certain companies involved in issuing visa approvals under the SIV programme. These companies, responsible for employment verification letters, are alleged to have issued documents without proper vetting or, in some cases, in exchange for money.
As a result, the legitimacy of all SIVs and Green Cards processed through these entities is now under question. This means Afghan immigrants who received their residency via these companies face losing their legal status—even if they personally committed no wrongdoing.
Reports estimate that hundreds of Afghan immigrants have had their Green Cards revoked in recent months. Many affected individuals include interpreters, civil society activists, and employees of US-led projects who fled Afghanistan under threats from the Taliban and extremist groups—arriving in the US with promises of safety and protection.
Legal experts warn that this approach may violate fundamental principles of refugee protection. Revoking residency from individuals who followed legal procedures and have been residing in the US for years, without clear justification or transparent review, risks undermining trust in the immigration system.
An immigration lawyer based in Washington stated that the mass revocation of Green Cards—without a consistent standard or adequate time for appeal—could trigger a crisis of trust and heighten fear among immigrant communities, particularly those who arrived under threat.
So far, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and USCIS have not issued public statements addressing the revocations. However, several members of Congress have called for immediate clarification and a temporary suspension of deportations pending a comprehensive review of affected cases.
