By Mummy Grace Afghan Families Linked to U.S. Troops Stranded Amid Refugee Program Freeze
Hundreds of Afghan family members of U.S. service members are now stranded in Afghanistan following President Donald Trump’s decision to temporarily halt the nation’s refugee resettlement program.
On Monday, Trump signed an executive order suspending refugee admissions for 90 days starting January 27, leaving approximately 1,660 Afghans, already cleared for resettlement, unable to travel. Among them are 200 family members of active-duty U.S. personnel whose flights have been canceled.
Shawn VanDiver, a veteran and president of the #AfghanEvac coalition, confirmed the numbers, emphasizing the risks these individuals face under Taliban rule due to their association with the U.S. “These are people who showed loyalty to us. We owe them the same loyalty in return,” VanDiver said.
The White House justified the suspension by citing strained community resources due to what it called unsustainable levels of migration. The administration’s website noted that resettlement would resume only if deemed beneficial to U.S. interests after a 90-day review.
Advocates, however, warned of the potential for an indefinite suspension, leaving vulnerable individuals in peril. VanDiver criticized the administration’s decision, saying, “We warned this could happen, but they proceeded anyway. We hope they reconsider.”
The situation follows the Taliban’s swift return to power in 2021 during the U.S. military withdrawal. Since then, efforts have been underway to evacuate Afghans who supported American forces during the 20-year war. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported last month that over 180,000 Afghans had been relocated to the U.S. through special visas and refugee programs.
The suspension is part of a broader immigration policy overhaul introduced during Trump’s first hours in office, including strict measures against illegal immigration and a declaration recognizing only two genders—male and female.
Advocates continue to press the administration to prioritize the safety of at-risk Afghans, particularly those tied to U.S. service members, and fulfill the nation’s commitment to those who stood alongside American forces.