Key Takeaways
• DHS will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans on May 20, 2025, impacting up to 14,600 people.
• Affected Afghans risk losing work authorization and protection against deportation unless they obtain another legal status.
• Congressional action, lawsuits, or the Afghan Adjustment Act could alter outcomes before or after the May 2025 deadline.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made a big announcement that will change the lives of thousands of Afghans living in the United States 🇺🇸. On May 20, 2025, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will end for Afghan nationals who have relied on this special program to stay and work in the United States 🇺🇸 legally. This decision has left many Afghan families, community members, and their supporters worried about what comes next. The effects go far beyond paperwork—this is about real people, real jobs, and real safety.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
TPS stands for Temporary Protected Status. This program was created by the U.S. government so that people from countries facing wars, natural disasters, or unsafe conditions could stay in the United States 🇺🇸 for a certain period of time without the threat of deportation. While they are in the U.S. with TPS, they also get work permits, which means they can have jobs and take care of their families.
Afghans were first welcomed into this program after Afghanistan 🇦🇫 became unstable in 2021, when the Taliban took control. Many of these Afghans had close ties to the United States 🇺🇸, such as helping the U.S. military, or they belonged to groups who could face danger back home. Now, with the DHS announcement, many of these people are at risk of losing the safety TPS has given them.
Who Will Be Impacted by This Change?
Ending TPS for Afghans is not a small change—it affects about 9,000 to 14,600 people who now live in the United States 🇺🇸 on this status. These numbers come from trusted sources, including immigration support organizations and legal experts.
Many arrived during Operation Allies Welcome, a program that helped evacuate people when Kabul fell in August 2021. Among these Afghan nationals are people who helped the U.S. military or worked for the U.S. government. There are also others who are from minority groups, meaning their religion, ethnic background, or beliefs put them in extra danger under Taliban rule.
It’s important to note that this change does not impact every Afghan living in the U.S. If someone entered as a refugee, was granted asylum, or was approved for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), this TPS change doesn’t take their status away. But for Afghans whose only legal status in the United States 🇺🇸 comes from TPS, this decision could change everything.
Why Did DHS Decide to End TPS for Afghans?
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem explained that Afghanistan’s security and economy, in her view, have improved enough that people can safely return. According to her statement, the country no longer meets the requirements set out for TPS. Another reason she shared is concern about fraud and possible national security threats among some who applied for TPS.
These reasons have caused debate. Many advocacy groups and supporters say these claims do not match what people see and hear from Afghanistan 🇦🇫. News reports and human rights organizations often say the country is still unsafe, especially for people connected to Western groups or those belonging to certain minorities. As a result, many groups disagree with the DHS assessment and call the planned end to TPS harsh.
What Does This Mean for the People Affected?
Once TPS ends on May 20, 2025, Afghans who don’t have another legal status (like asylum, SIV, or refugee) are at risk:
- They may lose the right to work: Their current work permits will no longer be valid. Without legal permission to work, people can lose their jobs, often even before their actual documents expire.
- Risk of deportation: When TPS ends, those who remain in the United States 🇺🇸 without another kind of legal status will collect “unlawful presence” days, making them open to removal, which means being forced to leave the country.
- Disrupted lives and communities: Many Afghans with TPS have built new lives in communities across the United States 🇺🇸 since 2021. Their children are in schools, many have jobs, and they’ve become valuable members of society.
This ends up affecting not just the individuals but also the businesses that employ them, and the neighborhoods and cities where they have settled. American companies could lose trusted workers, and families might be separated. Communities that opened their doors to refugees could now see friends and neighbors forced to leave.
What About Legal Challenges and Lawsuits?
History shows us that decisions to end TPS for any country almost always lead to lawsuits. Law groups and advocacy organizations often challenge these decisions in court, arguing that sending people back to unsafe countries breaks U.S. laws and values. Similar legal action happened when TPS was ended for people from other countries, like El Salvador and Haiti.
For Afghans, many groups expect legal fights will begin soon. These lawsuits may try to pause the end of TPS, give more time, or even stop the decision completely. No one knows exactly what courts will decide, but the legal process could bring last-minute changes or new rules as May 2025 grows closer.
What Steps Should Afghans on TPS Take Now?
If you—or someone you know—is an Afghan national with TPS, here are the practical steps recommended by experts, as shared in resources mentioned by VisaVerge.com:
- Consult a qualified immigration attorney or accredited legal provider: You should talk to a good lawyer about all possible immigration options. This could include applying for asylum (protection because going home is not safe) or adjusting status to something else, like a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), if you qualify.
- Do not travel internationally: Experts advise not to leave the United States 🇺🇸 while your immigration situation is unclear. Leaving and trying to come back can be risky and might make things worse.
- Collect and keep all your documents: Save every paper related to your immigration status, work permits, or anything you have filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you have any ongoing cases or pending applications, keep clear records.
- Stay up to date on changes: Monitor trusted sources, like the USCIS Temporary Protected Status page, for any new announcements, changes, or possible legal actions.
By acting early and seeking help, Afghan nationals may have better choices for staying legally. Waiting until TPS ends may close some doors, so planning ahead is key.
Broader Impact on American Communities
This is not just a problem for Afghans. When workers lose their legal status, businesses also lose trained staff. Employers who depend on Afghan workers for their skills and experience could face sudden shortages, especially in industries needing bilingual employees or those who understand Afghan language and culture.
Communities that have welcomed Afghan families feel a deep sense of loss and worry. Many faith groups, schools, employers, and neighbors have spoken out in support of keeping protections for these families. Local leaders argue that removing Afghans now, after allowing them to rebuild their lives for almost four years, is unfair and will leave holes in American society.
The Push for Permanent Solutions: The Afghan Adjustment Act
Many advocates and lawmakers believe that Congress should step in and fix the problem through a more lasting law. One well-known solution being pushed is the Afghan Adjustment Act.
This proposed law would allow eligible Afghan nationals to apply for permanent residency (a “green card”), giving them long-term stability in the United States 🇺🇸. So far, this idea has strong support from advocacy groups and many people across the country. Surveys show that faith-based communities and the broader public favor giving permanent safety to Afghans who helped the U.S. or whose lives are still at risk back home.
While the DHS says Afghanistan has improved, many lawmakers and experts point to ongoing threats that make returning dangerous. As long as the Afghan Adjustment Act has not passed, thousands of Afghans are left waiting, unsure if they will have to leave.
Questions and Controversies
The DHS decision to end TPS for Afghans has drawn sharp questions:
- Is Afghanistan really safe enough?
Many say no, given the reports of violence, lack of jobs, and continued crackdowns on women and minorities. - Why end protections now?
Critics call the timing unfair and say it ignores the reality Afghans could face if forced to return. - What about national security?
While the DHS mentioned fraud and security as concerns, many groups counter that the vetting process for TPS is already strict. They believe it’s wrong to punish everyone for the bad actions of a few. - Will legal actions stop this change?
That remains to be seen, but court cases could change the timeline or rules before May 20, 2025.
Immediate and Long-Term Effects
- Immediate: Afghans on TPS risk losing their jobs, homes, and peace of mind. Fear of removal can make people hide from authorities or avoid getting medical care or sending their children to school.
- Long-term: If Congress does not act, and legal challenges fail, many people could be forced back to a country that, according to many experts, remains unsafe. America could lose the skills and talents of Afghans who have become valued in workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods.
What Can Be Done Now?
While the future is uncertain, those affected should:
- Talk to legal experts as soon as possible.
- Stay connected with advocacy groups and community leaders.
- Keep informed by checking trusted sources like government websites and immigration news outlets.
- Share their stories with neighbors, faith groups, and leaders who may help push Congress to act.
The Bigger Picture
The planned end of Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in the United States 🇺🇸 is not just a legal change—it is a human story. It affects parents, children, workers, students, and whole communities. Many Afghans have become part of American life, having helped the country’s military, or simply sought a safe home during a time of fear and loss.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, unless there is successful legal action or a new law from Congress, most Afghans currently protected by TPS face losing all safeguards against deportation and work authorization after May 2025. This decision has been widely criticized by many groups across the country.
For more detailed information about this process and what to do next, you can visit the USCIS Temporary Protected Status page.
Final Thoughts
As the May 20, 2025, deadline grows closer, thousands of Afghans in the United States 🇺🇸 and their supporters face unclear times. Whether through court action, new laws like the Afghan Adjustment Act, or pressure from communities and faith groups, the hope is that a fair and caring solution can be found. Everyone is watching to see if the country will offer a permanent place for those who have already given and risked so much, or if they will be sent back to an uncertain and possibly dangerous future.
No matter what happens, the impact of this decision will be felt far beyond legal papers or government offices. It will be seen in classrooms, workplaces, neighborhoods, and families across the United States 🇺🇸. The story of Temporary Protected Status for Afghans—how it ends, and what comes next—will say much about what kind of country America wants to be.
Learn Today
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A U.S. immigration program granting temporary protection and work authorization to people from countries with unsafe conditions.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) → A visa for individuals who assisted the U.S. government or military abroad, enabling lawful permanent residence.
Unlawful Presence → The period when a non-citizen remains in the U.S. without legal authorization, potentially resulting in future immigration penalties.
Operation Allies Welcome → A U.S. initiative begun in August 2021 to evacuate and resettle Afghans after Kabul’s fall.
Afghan Adjustment Act → Proposed U.S. legislation that would provide eligible Afghan nationals a direct path to permanent residency.
This Article in a Nutshell
The U.S. will end TPS for Afghans on May 20, 2025, threatening legal status and jobs for thousands. Many may face deportation, but advocacy groups and legal experts are fighting back. Urgent legal advice and community action are essential for those affected as futures remain uncertain without congressional intervention.
— By VisaVerge.com
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