In recent developments, a faction of Republicans in Congress is distancing itself from the Trump administration's stringent measures regarding legal immigration from Afghanistan. This is particularly concerning for those Afghan nationals who played a crucial role in supporting U.S. military efforts. Over the past year, the U.S. government has suspended various visa and immigration programs for Afghan nationals, and those already residing in the country have seen their temporary protections revoked. The backdrop of these changes intensified following the arrest of an Afghan national implicated in the fatal shooting of a National Guard member in Washington, D.C., last month.
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has voiced concerns about the potential consequences of these rapid immigration restrictions. He warned against a knee-jerk reaction that could hinder many Afghans with legitimate claims for temporary or permanent residency in the U.S. "One thing we've forgotten is how important that is for our special operators," Tillis remarked, indicating that disregarding the safety and well-being of these individuals could jeopardize the lives of U.S. personnel who have formed deep connections with Afghan allies.
Senator Susan Collins from Maine echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for cautious and thorough vetting processes. "There are Afghan citizens who acted as guards, drivers, interpreters, and cooks for our troops," Collins stated, highlighting the significant contributions made by these individuals. She added that veterans she has spoken with are increasingly concerned about the safety of Afghans who assisted U.S. forces, advocating for a more careful approach to immigration vetting compared to what transpired during the Biden administration.
These divisions among Republicans come at a time when President Trump has been vocal about his plans for a large-scale deportation initiative as part of his 2024 presidential campaign. Alongside this, some Republicans are advocating for changes to visa programs for migrant laborers and seeking more permanent status for individuals under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Historically, Afghan soldiers who assisted U.S. troops have garnered bipartisan support for their immigration cases.
Trump has recently taken a hardline stance, indicating that only select individuals are welcome to enter the U.S. "I've also announced a permanent pause on Third World migration, including from hellholes like Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia, and many other countries," he declared at a Pennsylvania event last week.
On his first day in office, Trump halted the refugee resettlement program, leaving thousands of approved individuals, including Afghans who had aided U.S. military efforts, stranded. According to data from the Department of Homeland Security, Afghanistan was one of the leading countries contributing to refugee admissions in fiscal year 2024, with approximately 14,680 refugees from Afghanistan among the 100,000 total admissions.
Initially, some Republicans expressed concerns about how the pause would affect those who had supported U.S. armed forces. The refugee program has since been drastically reduced, with current policies appearing to favor white South Africans as the targeted demographic for entry. In June, Trump extended travel restrictions to 19 countries, including Afghanistan. Following the attack on National Guard members in D.C. around Thanksgiving, the administration suspended processing for asylum applications, green cards, and other immigration services related to the affected countries.
Trump has claimed that individuals arriving from Afghanistan were inadequately vetted during the Biden administration. The case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, charged in connection with the shooting, underscores this issue. He was granted asylum earlier this year after being admitted to the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson attributed Lakanwal's presence in the U.S. to what she termed "dangerous policies" from Biden that allowed unvetted individuals to enter the country.
Questions remain regarding what additional vetting could have revealed about Lakanwal before his arrival. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that the suspect could have been radicalized after moving to the U.S. Moreover, advocates have long criticized intelligence agencies for failing to provide necessary resources, including mental health support, to Afghan soldiers adapting to life in America after facing severe violence.
Immigrant advocacy groups argue that Congress has relinquished its responsibilities in shaping immigration policy, allowing the executive branch to dictate terms without sufficient oversight. Shawn VanDiver, founder of AfghanEvac, criticized lawmakers for not modernizing the asylum and refugee systems. "The vacuum they have left is being filled with fear-mongering, not facts; politics, not policy," VanDiver stated during a press conference.
This year, Congress has enacted very few immigration-related bills, primarily focusing on funding for the Department of Homeland Security and its enforcement initiatives. Efforts to reform immigration processes remain stalled. Some Republicans, however, are content to leave immigration matters to the executive branch. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma remarked that vetting Afghans and other immigrants is primarily an executive issue, emphasizing the existing vetting process's execution.
Republican leadership appears to align closely with the Trump administration's stance. The House recently removed a bipartisan provision from the National Defense Authorization Act that aimed to reinstate a State Department office dedicated to relocating Afghan refugees. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove criticized her Republican colleagues for prioritizing loyalty to Trump over American values and obligations to allies.
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana suggested that passing the Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act could provide a pathway for Afghans to apply for legal permanent residency after additional vetting. Although this bill was introduced in August, it has yet to receive a committee vote. Cassidy expressed his desire to see more stringent vetting implemented before making further immigration decisions.
Despite past support for special immigrant visas for Afghan military interpreters, Senator John Cornyn of Texas indicated that now may not be the appropriate time to reignite discussions on the topic, without providing specific reasons for his hesitance.