UK refuses to resettle Afghan refugees abandoned by Trump
The British government has reportedly rejected requests to accept hundreds of Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan after their flights to the U.S. were suspended by Donald Trump. According to the Daily Telegraph, these refugees are facing an uncertain future.
Trump’s order has resulted in the cancellation of flights for over 1,600 Afghan refugees who had already been approved for entry into the United States.
These refugees have appealed to the UK to open its doors to them, as they face harassment and persecution in Pakistan due to tensions between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban. They express fear for their safety and seek a fresh start in the UK.
Masoud, a former U.S. military collaborator from Kunduz, told the Daily Telegraph that he was scheduled to fly to the U.S. this month. Now residing in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, he stated, “We are trapped. I cannot return to Afghanistan because the Taliban will kill me, and now the U.S. has shut its doors. My only hope is Britain, and I pray for a chance to start over.”
British officials are expected to reject their resettlement applications, further exacerbating the plight of these refugees. Meysam Saei, a 30-year-old former U.S. military collaborator in Kabul, expressed frustration over being stranded despite holding a special immigration visa. He sees Britain as their last hope and urges the UK government not to abandon them after their sacrifices.
In an interview with CBS, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance defended Donald Trump’s suspension of the Afghan refugee program, citing inadequate security vetting. He highlighted concerns over potential threats, referencing an Afghan refugee accused of planning a terrorist attack in Oklahoma.
Vance stressed the need for stricter screening, arguing that thousands of refugees cannot enter the U.S. without thorough checks. He dismissed claims that vetting was sufficient, warning that lapses in the process could endanger American communities and must be addressed urgently.
Trump’s executive order, issued on his first day of his second term, has temporarily halted the resettlement of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and other countries. The U.S. State and Homeland Security Departments are expected to reassess the acceptance process to address security gaps, a concern frequently raised by Republican lawmakers.
Trump’s campaign has heavily focused on curbing refugee inflows, often using harsh rhetoric and portraying them as a threat to U.S. security. This policy shift has left thousands of vulnerable Afghans in a precarious situation, with few options remaining for their safe resettlement.
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