US Afghan Immigrants Cry Out in Fear and Defiance Amid Trump Crackdown
In the wake of a shooting that left two US national guard soldiers injured, President Donald Trump has launched a crackdown on Afghan immigrants, leaving hundreds of thousands of people on edge. The administration's move to freeze asylum decisions, pause visa applications, and halt all legal immigration cases for nationals of 19 countries - including Afghanistan - has sparked outrage and defiance among the Afghan community in the US.
Those who fought alongside American forces in Afghanistan are being punished for the alleged actions of one man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. The 29-year-old Afghan evacuee was identified as a suspect in the shooting and is awaiting trial. However, the Trump administration's response has been swift and severe, with some calling it "punishing hundreds of thousands of innocent people."
"The attacker hasn't been put on trial, but the whole Afghan community has been labeled as guilty," said Yahya Haqiqi, president of the Afghan Support Network in Oregon. "There are folks that came here because they fought for American values in Afghanistan, and because of the action of one individual, they and the whole community are being harmed."
The move has also raised concerns about national security, with officials citing a need to screen Afghan evacuees more thoroughly. However, many are questioning the logic behind targeting an entire group of people based on the actions of one man.
"This is not fair to cast blame on an entire group of people who are doing the best they can to integrate into our communities and follow the American dream," said Shir Agha Safi, executive director of Afghan Partners in Iowa. "Some are feeling a sense of betrayal in my community, of being marginalized."
The crackdown has also had a devastating impact on families who have been waiting for years to apply for asylum or green cards. Freshta, a 29-year-old Afghan immigrant who came to the US in 2022, was told that her asylum application would be terminated due to the pause in asylum decisions.
"I came here the legal way," she said. "I came here because everyone said there was freedom of speech and I could pursue my dreams as an Afghan woman."
The Trump administration's move has also raised questions about the effectiveness of its national security measures. A report by the inspector general found that the National Counterterrorism Center failed to use Department of Defense biometric data when vetting Afghan evacuees after the chaotic 2021 troop withdrawal.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the far-reaching scope of the crackdown has left countless Afghans in limbo, wondering about their future and their place in the US.
In the wake of a shooting that left two US national guard soldiers injured, President Donald Trump has launched a crackdown on Afghan immigrants, leaving hundreds of thousands of people on edge. The administration's move to freeze asylum decisions, pause visa applications, and halt all legal immigration cases for nationals of 19 countries - including Afghanistan - has sparked outrage and defiance among the Afghan community in the US.
Those who fought alongside American forces in Afghanistan are being punished for the alleged actions of one man, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. The 29-year-old Afghan evacuee was identified as a suspect in the shooting and is awaiting trial. However, the Trump administration's response has been swift and severe, with some calling it "punishing hundreds of thousands of innocent people."
"The attacker hasn't been put on trial, but the whole Afghan community has been labeled as guilty," said Yahya Haqiqi, president of the Afghan Support Network in Oregon. "There are folks that came here because they fought for American values in Afghanistan, and because of the action of one individual, they and the whole community are being harmed."
The move has also raised concerns about national security, with officials citing a need to screen Afghan evacuees more thoroughly. However, many are questioning the logic behind targeting an entire group of people based on the actions of one man.
"This is not fair to cast blame on an entire group of people who are doing the best they can to integrate into our communities and follow the American dream," said Shir Agha Safi, executive director of Afghan Partners in Iowa. "Some are feeling a sense of betrayal in my community, of being marginalized."
The crackdown has also had a devastating impact on families who have been waiting for years to apply for asylum or green cards. Freshta, a 29-year-old Afghan immigrant who came to the US in 2022, was told that her asylum application would be terminated due to the pause in asylum decisions.
"I came here the legal way," she said. "I came here because everyone said there was freedom of speech and I could pursue my dreams as an Afghan woman."
The Trump administration's move has also raised questions about the effectiveness of its national security measures. A report by the inspector general found that the National Counterterrorism Center failed to use Department of Defense biometric data when vetting Afghan evacuees after the chaotic 2021 troop withdrawal.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the far-reaching scope of the crackdown has left countless Afghans in limbo, wondering about their future and their place in the US.
. Can't believe he's messing with people who fought for freedom 
. This is so unfair to innocent ppl trying to start new lives 
. We should be helping them, not chasing 'em away 
.
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The Trump admin's move is a total overreaction... I mean, like, what's the logic behind targeting an entire group of people because of one guy? 
They came to the US as asylum seekers or were already living here, they didn't do anything wrong! 
It's like, they're being put in limbo now... it's so unfair 
So it's been reported that over 100k Afghan nationals have been affected by this new asylum pause & visa freeze 
. In fact, a study found that Afghans had a 0.35% crime rate vs the national average of 2.5% in 2021 
And if you think about it, Trump's admin has basically shut down all legal pathways for Afghan refugees to come to the US 
. That's like saying 'you can't get a visa, but don't worry, we'll still keep an eye on your cousin who came over in 2005' 
the trump admin needs to get their priorities straight 
this is not about national security, it's about playing politics with people's lives 
and now families are suffering because of it 
these ppl have been waiting for years to apply for asylum or green cards, only to be told their apps are being terminated 
This is a classic case of mass hysteria, folks! The Trump administration's knee-jerk reaction is a perfect example of how politicians can whip up fear and xenophobia to distract from their own failed policies. 
We need to have an open and honest debate about this issue, not just spew fear-mongering rhetoric like Trump is doing. The Afghan community deserves better than to be treated like second-class citizens! 
this is super unfair man 
my cousin who's from Afghanistan came here on a visa and now they're freezing all his asylum apps cuz of this 1 shooting 
I mean, I know it's easy to get caught up in the fear and panic, but come on... let's think about this logically. 
we need to find a way to balance security with compassion and understanding... this is just not the kind of America I thought we were building 
.
. I mean, can you imagine using a real typewriter to write letters or stories? It's like something out of a movie! I wonder what it would be like to have a whole collection of them... anyway, back to the news...
