Oklahoma Afghan Refugees Face Deportation as Temporary Protected Status Expires
Temporary protected status for Afghan refugees in Oklahoma will expire on May 20, threatening thousands with deportation amidst fears of Taliban reprisal. Aliye Shimi, an advocate for Afghan resettlement, condemns this move as a betrayal of promise, as the community fears returning home could be fatal. Their safety and future remain uncertain following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that the temporary protected status (TPS) for Afghan refugees will cease on May 20. This decision affects thousands of Afghan immigrants in Oklahoma, which recently resettled many of them as part of the post-9/11 efforts against the Taliban. The TPS program has faced criticism and scrutiny under the Trump administration, which aims to reform the immigration system significantly.
Aliye Shimi, who has been instrumental in resettlement efforts with the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry, expressed strong concerns about the implications of this decision. She believes it represents a betrayal of those who assisted the U.S. during its military operations in Afghanistan. Shimi criticized the policy shift, questioning how the U.S. could abandon those who were promised safety after risking their lives for American forces.
Shimi described the Afghan community in Oklahoma, which consists of over 3,000 individuals, as terrified following this announcement. The control of the Taliban in Afghanistan has heightened fears that returning could lead to severe consequences, including death for those who collaborated with American troops. Despite the community’s efforts to find safety, Shimi indicated that their future remains uncertain and concerning.
As TPS expires, the anxiety among Afghan refugees continues to grow, as many contemplate their limited options for remaining safe in the U.S. or the potential consequences of forced repatriation to Afghanistan, a scenario fraught with dangers given the current political climate.
The expiration of temporary protected status for Afghan refugees in the U.S. creates significant fear and uncertainty within Oklahoma’s Afghan community. Many individuals feel betrayed by the American government, fearing deportation back to a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The situation emphasizes the urgent need for a reassessment of protections for those who assisted U.S. efforts during the war, highlighting a humanitarian crisis waiting to unfold.
Original Source: www.publicradiotulsa.org
