Refugee Group Welcomes Trump’s Pledge To Support Former Afghan Allies

His remarks come in the wake of the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain Afghan migrants. Despite the policy shift, Trump assured that those who were promised protection would be supported.

“We know the good ones, and we know the ones that maybe aren’t so good,” Trump said in response to a question about the fate of Afghan refugees. “We’re going to take care of those people, the ones that did a job [for us], the ones that were told certain things.”

Trump also renewed his criticism of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it “one of the most disgraceful episodes” in American history. He described the withdrawal as a scandal and reiterated previous pledges to help evacuate Afghan allies, including those stranded for years in the United Arab Emirates following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

While Trump did not outline a specific policy or detailed mechanism for how his administration would assist Afghan asylum seekers, he claimed that approximately 90 percent of those seeking permanent residency in the US would be eligible for assistance under his leadership.

Criticism Over Past Policies

Trump’s renewed support for Afghan allies comes in contrast to the restrictive immigration measures his administration implemented during his presidency, many of which adversely affected Afghan nationals. His stance drew criticism from veterans’ groups and advocates for Afghan partners, who argue that the Trump administration ended key resettlement programmes and failed to act on earlier promises.

The Biden administration has also faced scrutiny over its handling of Afghan resettlement. In May, the State Department announced the closure of the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts, the office responsible for overseeing the relocation of eligible Afghans, including applicants for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) and refugee status.

Adding to the uncertainty, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem recently declared the end of TPS for Afghan nationals. Noem cited improved security conditions in Afghanistan as justification, a move that refugee advocates say could put thousands at risk of deportation to a country still plagued by human rights abuses and political instability.

According to US immigration data, more than 14,000 Afghan nationals currently in the United States, many of whom arrived through irregular migration routes via Latin America, could now face removal.

Humanitarian Concerns and Political Pushback

Allison Hooker, US Under Secretary of State, told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 23 June that the administration values its Afghan partners and is actively exploring ways to reform and improve immigration pathways.

However, Democratic Representative Julie Johnson of Texas criticised what she described as contradictions between official statements and government action. “Tens of thousands of Afghans who worked with our forces during the 20-year war were promised a pathway [to American citizenship] and fully vetted, but are now stranded and waiting,” she said. “They face retribution for believing in America’s promises.”

Advocacy groups have warned that deporting Afghan nationals could result in detention, torture, or even death, particularly for those previously affiliated with US and allied forces. Calls continue from human rights organisations, veterans’ groups, and lawmakers for a clear, humane, and consistent policy to honour America’s commitments to its Afghan allies.

The Taliban alleges that the editor accepted financial support from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the UN’s cultural agency UNESCO, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The ministry claims the funds were used to “bring women out of their homes under the pretext of work” and to produce “negative reports” about the Taliban government.

The ministry has also accused the editor of “moral corruption” and “espionage,” alleging that he secretly submitted reports to what it called “anti-Islamic media outlets” in exchange for thousands of dollars. A video of the detainee’s purported confession was later released by Taliban officials.

However, international human rights groups and independent observers warn that such confessions are often obtained through coercion, intimidation, or torture, and lack credibility under international legal standards.

The Ministry claimed the media outlet operated as a “centre for foreign espionage and moral corruption,” and that the accused admitted to receiving funding for religious and cultural projects, while producing critical material and sending it to international media.

Further charges include promoting gender mixing, distributing what the Taliban labels “harmful” religious texts, and attempting to undermine the regime through media reports. No independent evidence has been presented to substantiate the allegations.

Daricha, a Taliban-affiliated outlet, reported that additional individuals linked to similar organisations have also been detained, though no details were provided.

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue, which functions as police, prosecutor, and judge, has sweeping authority over social and public life. International organisations have described the ministry’s enforcement of so-called virtue laws as a systematic campaign of repression, particularly targeting women and dissenting voices.

In recent weeks, the Taliban has intensified its crackdown on journalists and women’s rights advocates. On Tuesday, the Afghanistan Journalists Center reported that Taliban authorities had detained at least seven journalists in Kabul and other provinces over the past three weeks. A total of 15 journalists are currently being held in Taliban custody.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed strict curbs on press freedom and expression. Journalists and media workers have been regularly arrested, threatened, and in some cases tortured, often on vague or unsubstantiated charges such as espionage or moral misconduct.

International human rights and press freedom organisations have condemned the Taliban’s actions, calling them blatant violations of international law and fundamental human rights. They continue to call for the immediate release of detained journalists and the restoration of media freedoms in Afghanistan.

The announcement comes amid growing concern over Afghanistan's capacity to absorb the mass return of its citizens.

Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Taliban's deputy minister for technical affairs at the ministry, made the remarks during a press conference on Wednesday, as part of the ministry’s annual performance briefing.

Rashid also reported that 184,459 Afghan nationals have been forcibly repatriated from Pakistan so far this year, and an additional 5,134 were deported from Türkiye.

Speaking at the Taliban’s media centre in Kabul, Rashid estimated that around six million Afghan migrants remain in host countries, while approximately 2.5 million people are internally displaced within Afghanistan.

He claimed the Taliban administration has established at least 38 residential settlements for returnees across 29 provinces. Surveys have reportedly been completed for 29 of these sites, with assessments still underway in the remaining nine.

Despite these claims, large-scale deportations continue. The Taliban’s High Commission for Addressing Migrant Issues reported that Iran is currently expelling nearly 10,000 Afghans each day.

At the same time, reports from Pakistan indicate that authorities have resumed the detention and deportation of Afghan migrants in parts of Islamabad.

International organisations have repeatedly warned that Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, lacks the infrastructure and resources to manage the reintegration of such vast numbers of returnees.

Abdullah Raihan, who served for more than two decades as a close assistant to Haqqani and now identifies as a journalist, made the remarks in a written commentary published on Wednesday.

“We must do what we believe in, but the people should be given the freedom to judge the legitimacy of the government,” Raihan wrote, directly addressing Taliban officials. “Our goals are greater; minor issues should not prevent us from achieving our major objectives.”

Raihan cautioned against labelling those who express emotional attachment to Afghanistan’s former tricolour national flag as traitors. “Perhaps we have not yet served this nation with the honesty and sacrifice it truly deserves,” he wrote.

Acknowledging the country’s long history of struggle, Raihan argued that Afghanistan’s challenges cannot be resolved within four years and called on Taliban leaders to use this time to improve governance. “The people of Afghanistan have endured hardship for over a century,” he said. “Everything cannot be fixed in just four years. The people need time, and the leadership must seize this opportunity.”

Khalid Zadran, spokesperson for the Taliban police in Kabul, described Raihan in his memoir, 15 Minutes, as one of Haqqani’s most trusted comrades during the war against the former Afghan government. He referred to Raihan as a “devoted companion,” noting his leadership of the Manba al-Jihad media studio, which produced several pro-Taliban films including Karwan-e-Ghaziyan and Lashkar-e-Badri.

Despite his former role, Raihan’s recent commentary reflects a more conciliatory tone. “It doesn’t matter to me who supports which flag and why. What matters is that the message of truth and justice behind the white flag reaches the hearts of the people,” he wrote. “More importantly, this fractured and downtrodden nation must unite under one flag and live with dignity.”

He also urged Taliban leaders to reflect on past mistakes and to earn public trust through action. “When we prove our beliefs in practice and strengthen the foundations of the system, this country will no longer face collapse,” he wrote. “But that requires effort, sacrifice, and determination.”

Raihan’s statement came a day after Afghanistan’s National Flag Day. In recent years, the Taliban has detained and allegedly tortured numerous citizens for expressing support for the former national flag, highlighting the deepening divide between the regime and sections of Afghan society.

Jackie Birov, a 35-year-old American tourist, told the Associated Press she was touched by the hospitality of Afghans during her visit. “I’m very aware that I have a lot more freedom than local women,” she said, referring to the contrasting experiences of foreign and Afghan women.

Tourism in Afghanistan remains a niche industry, attracting only a few thousand visitors annually, most of whom are adventure travellers. However, organised tours from countries including China, Greece, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom are gradually increasing.

Despite facing global condemnation over its restrictions on women and widespread human rights abuses, the Taliban is working to expand the tourism sector, seeing it as a potential source of revenue and a way to reshape its international image.

Tourist visas, typically single-entry and valid for up to 30 days, have become more accessible. The resumption of commercial flights to and from Kabul, with regular routes to cities like Dubai and Istanbul, has also made travel to the country easier.

The Taliban’s lenient approach toward foreign tourists has drawn particular interest from female travellers. In response, some tour operators have begun offering women-led tours designed specifically for female visitors.

Somaya Moniry, a 24-year-old tour guide, told the Associated Press that she hopes to present a different perspective of Afghanistan.

While tour companies emphasise the economic benefits of attracting foreign visitors, some critics argue that travel to Afghanistan under Taliban rule is ethically problematic. They point to the stark contrast between the freedoms granted to foreign women and the severe limitations placed on Afghan women and girls.

Under Taliban policies, Afghan girls are barred from education beyond grade six, prohibited from working, and restricted from entering parks or dining at restaurants. The disparity has led many to view the regime’s hospitality toward tourists as a reflection of its double standards.