'We were friends of the US': Fearful Afghans face Trump travel ban

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, many Afghans have been living in fear and uncertainty. Ahmad, a former Afghan military employee, has been hiding in his home country, afraid of being found by the Taliban. He cannot work or get medical care and depends on friends abroad for support. His 12-year-old son cannot attend school. Ahmad hoped to resettle in the United States as a refugee, but the process was halted by the Trump administration just before completion. Then, President Donald Trump issued a new travel ban that prevents Afghan passport holders from entering the US, citing national security concerns. Ahmad insists he is not a threat and reminds that Afghanistan was once a friend of the US.

The US government included Afghanistan in the travel ban because it considers the Taliban a terrorist group and believes the country lacks proper systems to issue passports and screen travelers. The ban also applies to 11 other countries, including several in Africa, Haiti, and Yemen. The Trump administration recently ended temporary protected status for over 9,000 Afghans living in the US, claiming the situation in Afghanistan has improved. However, life under Taliban rule remains harsh, especially for women. The Taliban enforces strict rules such as mandatory head coverings and bans on education for girls over 12. The United Nations has described these policies as 'gender apartheid. ' Despite Taliban claims of respecting women's rights according to Sharia law and Afghan culture, many Afghans face severe restrictions and dangers.

Thousands of Afghans who supported the US during its military presence are still waiting to be resettled. While about 200,000 Afghans have been relocated to the US, many more remain in limbo, some living in neighboring Pakistan, which has been expelling Afghans recently. People like Samira, currently in Pakistan, fear returning to Afghanistan due to the dangerous conditions and lack of opportunities. The travel ban has shattered hopes for many families. Even Afghans studying in the US, such as Zarifa Ghafari, face difficulties traveling between countries because of the ban. Critics argue that the US is breaking its promise to help Afghans who risked their lives supporting democracy and the US mission. Meanwhile, many Afghans still in the country struggle with basic needs like food and safety, making the prospect of travel or resettlement seem distant and impossible.