More than 200 Afghan refugees residing in Iowa have been instructed by U.S. authorities to leave the country immediately or face detention and legal consequences, according to American media reports.
Emails sent in April by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the Department of Homeland Security, warned recipients with the message, “It is time to leave the United States.” Axios reported that the messages further stated, “Do not attempt to remain in the United States, the federal government will find you,” underscoring the seriousness of the expulsion orders.
These notices were directed at Afghan nationals who arrived in the U.S. under humanitarian parole programs or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) following the withdrawal of American troops and the collapse of Kabul in 2021.
The Afghan Allies in Iowa organization, led by Zabihullah Safi, expressed concern over the directives, noting that many affected individuals served as soldiers alongside U.S. forces and now face potential retaliation by the Taliban if returned to Afghanistan. Safi stressed that these refugees have become integrated members of Iowa’s communities, contributing economically and socially while their children attend local schools and universities.
Axios noted that this is part of a broader federal effort to wind down temporary immigration programs granted to Afghan refugees in the aftermath of the U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Over 900 Afghans in Iowa had received such status.
In a statement to Axios, the Department of Homeland Security affirmed its stance, declaring that “the presence of foreign nationals in the United States is a privilege, not a right,” and reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing immigration laws.
The situation highlights the precarious circumstances many Afghan refugees now face, caught between a history of service to U.S. missions and the threat of persecution in a country governed once again by the Taliban.
