WASHINGTON: A group of US lawmakers is urging the Biden administration to reinstate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals, warning that deporting them back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan would endanger lives—especially women and children.
Led by Senator Chris Van Hollen, Representative Glenn Ivey, and Senator Amy Klobuchar, the group stressed that Afghanistan’s conditions remain dangerous. They called the decision to end TPS by July 14 “reckless and inhumane.”
TPS provides temporary legal status and work permits for individuals from countries facing crises. The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the termination of Afghan TPS, saying the situation had improved. However, lawmakers argue that the threat under Taliban rule persists.
Currently, 11,700 Afghans benefit from TPS, though 3,600 have been approved for green cards.