The US ended Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan on Monday, with officials assessing that the country is safe enough for Afghans to return to.
The Department of Homeland Security made the announcement in mid-May, with the termination taking effect on July 14.
The department said at the time that “conditions in Afghanistan no longer meet the statutory requirements” for TPS, which provides protection from deportation as well as the ability to work in the US to citizens of countries experiencing conflict or other crises.
TPS for Afghanistan was granted in 2022. The US withdrew its last troops from the country in August 2021, after the Taliban had seized control across Afghanistan and the US-backed security forces collapsed. The ignominious end to America's longest war continues to drive bitter debate in Washington.
Amid the chaotic withdrawal, Afghans who had worked with the US military fled the country out of fear of reprisals. Others, including soldiers, civil society leaders and former government employees, also left, flooding into neighbouring countries or making their way to the West.
It is estimated that as many as 11,700 Afghans have received TPS, though this can be held concurrently with another status that would allow a person to remain in the US.
Laila Ayub, co-founder of the Afghan community immigration justice organisation Project Anar, said the revocation of TPS leaves thousands of people in limbo. She said that taking away authorisation to work makes it more difficult for Afghans to have a sense of stability.
“Many people need that to have housing or, of course, to be able to work, but it'll impact many other things in their life very immediately as well, and it's taking away that protection that all these things really add up,” she told The National.
Ms Ayub, whose community immigration justice organisation was formed and led by Afghan-American women, highlighted the contradiction that the US sees Afghanistan as stable enough for citizens to return, but also includes the country on its travel ban list.
Last month, people from Afghanistan, and 11 other nations, were banned from entering the US after it was flagged as high risk because of the level of extremist activity there.
“Their justification for including all of the countries [in the travel ban] is that that country's government can't meet US standards for security and vetting and all these things,” Ms Ayub said. “But the impact is clear that all of it is making it harder for people here and for people pursuing pathways to the US.”
Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, echoed that fear, saying it was a “really scary time for veterans, for our allies”.
“We hope to not see a bunch of Afghans being deported, but it seems like that's the path that we're on,” Mr VanDiver, whose organisation works to protect people who worked with US soldiers during the war.
“It seems like the truth is that the US government policy with regard to Afghanistan and relocations is still under review, but all of the indications are that they're trying to shut it all down.”
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can lead to fibrosis (scarring), cirrhosis or liver cancer.
There are 5 main hepatitis viruses, referred to as types A, B, C, D and E.
Hepatitis C is mostly transmitted through exposure to infective blood. This can occur through blood transfusions, contaminated injections during medical procedures, and through injecting drugs. Sexual transmission is also possible, but is much less common.
People infected with hepatitis C experience few or no symptoms, meaning they can live with the virus for years without being diagnosed. This delay in treatment can increase the risk of significant liver damage.
There are an estimated 170 million carriers of Hepatitis C around the world.
The virus causes approximately 399,000 fatalities each year worldwide, according to WHO.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
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The five pillars of Islam
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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Chelsea 1 (Hudson-Odoi 90 1')
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The five pillars of Islam
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
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Al Dhafra Street
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Kathryn Hawkes of House of Hawkes on being a good guest (because we’ve all had bad ones)
- Arrive with a thank you gift, or make sure you have one for your host by the time you leave.
- Offer to buy groceries, cook them a meal or take your hosts out for dinner.
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- Leave no trace of your stay – if you’ve borrowed a book, return it to where you found it.
- Offer to strip the bed before you go.
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Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
