TPS for Afghanistan Expires, Leaving Thousands at Risk of Deportation and Job Loss

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 21, 2025

Contact: Timothy Young | our email

Baltimore, M.D. — Following the expiration of an administrative stay issued by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan will take effect after 11:59pm ET tonight, potentially leaving up to 11,700 Afghans in the United States without protection from deportation and, in many cases, without valid work authorization.

As a nonprofit that has resettled approximately 25,000 Afghans since 2021, Global Refuge strongly condemns the decision to terminate these life-saving protections and calls on Congress to advance a pathway to permanence for those still in legal limbo.

“Ending TPS does not align with the reality of circumstances on the ground in Afghanistan,” said Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge. “Conditions remain dire, especially for allies who supported the U.S. mission, as well as women, girls, religious minorities, and ethnic groups targeted by the Taliban. The anxiety among our Afghan clients is real and growing. They want to contribute, work, and live in peace, but now face legal limbo and fear of deportation.”

TPS was first granted to Afghan nationals in 2022 in the wake of the U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban’s return to power, which created dangerous and unstable conditions. That designation was extended and redesignated in September 2023. However, despite a continued humanitarian crisis and widespread reports of Taliban-led repression, particularly against those affiliated with the U.S. mission, the Department of Homeland Security announced in May 2025 that it would terminate TPS for Afghanistan, citing selective indicators such as limited economic growth and tourism.

The expiration of TPS means Afghans who have no other immigration status or pending application may begin accruing unlawful presence, potentially triggering bars to future immigration benefits. Many could also lose their jobs once their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) expire.

“Without these humanitarian protections, thousands will be left in legal limbo, unable to renew work permits, cut off from the stability they need, and vulnerable to a newly supercharged detention and deportation infrastructure,” said Vignarajah.

A significant portion of TPS recipients are Afghan evacuees who entered through Operation Allies Welcome after the fall of Kabul in 2021. Among them are those still awaiting decisions on asylum, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), or other applications for permanent protection.

“TPS was never a long-term solution, but its termination without a permanent alternative leaves our Afghan allies in a precarious position,” Vignarajah said. “The U.S. made a commitment to protect those who stood with us. Now Congress must deliver on that promise by providing a permanent path to safety and stability.”

Global Refuge continues to call on the administration to provide clear guidance and support to Afghan allies affected by the termination. The organization urges individuals with TPS to consult with qualified immigration legal service providers and avoid international travel at this time.

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