Restore Protected Status To Afghan Refugees

To The Reader’s Forum:

The Trump Administration just revoked temporary protected status for more than 9,000 Afghan refugees living in the United States. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced May 12th that conditions in Afghanistan no longer constitute a significant threat. This is despite a brutal Taliban regime that continues to exact revenge and punish those who don’t conform to rigid rules of conduct. Serving as interpreters and guides, these are people who often risked their lives to support our troops. Following the principle of, “Leave No One Behind,” military veterans have worked tirelessly to bring them here to this country. They have found work and built new lives. But now their protected status will end May 20th. Rather than realizing hopes for a better life, many will be deported back to Afghanistan. This is a betrayal of everything this country is supposed to stand for; the promise so many generations of Americans have fought and died for.

I urge you to call the White House and your members of Congress to tell them to change course.

Rachel Brown

Greenhurst