Summary of NPR's "Consider This" Episode: Afghans in the US Have Lost Protected Status. What Happens Now?

Release Date: June 19, 2025
Host: Mary Louise Kelly and Monika Evstatieva
Podcast: Consider This by NPR

Introduction

In this poignant episode of NPR's Consider This, hosts Mary Louise Kelly and Monika Evstatieva delve into the dire circumstances faced by Afghans residing in the United States following the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) by the Trump administration. The episode sheds light on personal stories, legal challenges, and the broader implications of recent immigration policy changes on individuals who sought refuge in the US.

The Harrowing Journey of Zee

The episode opens with the distressing experience of Zee, an Afghan woman who received a life-altering email from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

Mary Louise Kelly [00:00]: "It's time for you to leave the United States."

Zee, a dedicated emergency room nurse in Afghanistan, had to flee her homeland due to the Taliban's oppressive regime, which severely restricted women's rights. Her ordeal began when Taliban soldiers confronted her, demanding she leave the country:

Zee [00:50]: "Just go back. You don't want to go. I will kill you."

Fearful for her safety and that of her two children, whom she had to leave behind with her parents, Zee embarked on a perilous journey from Afghanistan to the US via Brazil and Mexico. She secured entry into the US on humanitarian parole, allowed to stay while her asylum application was processed under TPS.

Policy Changes Threaten Afghans in the US

In early May, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of TPS for Afghans, effective July 14:

Monika Evstatieva [05:00]: "In early May, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced the termination of TPS for Afghanistan..."

Noem justified the decision by citing an "improved security situation" and a "stabilizing economy" in Afghanistan. However, Zee and others argue that these claims starkly contrast with the on-the-ground realities.

Legal Perspectives and Propaganda Concerns

Brian Greene, a seasoned immigration lawyer from Denver, critiques the administration's stance:

Brian Greene [05:29]: "A person that leaves the country through fear is accomplishing the administration's current goal."

He further labels the DHS email as propaganda rather than a legitimate legal notice:

Brian Greene [05:48]: "So if someone has an I589 asylum application pending, they can stay in the United States while that court case is going forward."

Greene emphasizes that individuals with pending asylum applications retain their right to remain in the US, challenging the administration's narrative.

Personal Stories Amid Policy Shifts

The episode also features the story of "A," an Afghan engineer who worked on US-funded construction projects in Kabul. Facing the Taliban's repressive measures, especially towards women and educated men, A fears for his family's safety:

A [06:55]: "Most of my children are daughters and for girls in Afghanistan it's not safe at all. They will not have a future over there..."

Despite having legal status and an ongoing asylum application, A remains anxious due to restrictive rhetoric and new executive actions limiting Afghan immigration.

On-the-Ground Realities in Afghanistan

Abdul Faraji, an investigative journalist from Afghanistan, provides a grim overview of the current situation:

Abdul Faraji [10:41]: "When we are talking about food in Afghanistan as just having a bread with a sweet tea, those people living with nothing."

Faraji disputes the DHS's claim of economic stabilization, highlighting rampant poverty, food scarcity, and the proliferation of terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. He warns that:

Abdul Faraji [11:08]: "Al Qaeda is there. ISIS is there. Please, people of United States, don't forget 9/11. It was not just for Afghanistan. This fight was for freedom. This fight was for democracy."

Implications of Revoked TPS and Travel Bans

The termination of TPS, coupled with the Trump administration's travel bans targeting Afghanistan, serves a dual purpose: deporting Afghans currently in the US and deterring future immigrants. Abdul Faraji criticizes these measures as not only unfounded but also perilously ignoring the ongoing instability and threats within Afghanistan.

Abdul Faraji [10:32]: "Afghanistan right now is kind of a jail for all those people that are living there..."

Conclusion

The episode concludes by reiterating the precarious position of Afghans in the US who had sought refuge from Taliban oppression. With TPS revoked and travel bans in place, individuals like Zee and A face uncertain futures, battling between the fear of persecution at home and the challenges of navigating an increasingly hostile immigration landscape in the US.

Produced by: Noah Caldwell and Megan Lim
Edited by: Barry Hardiman, Sarah Handel, and William Troup
Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun

This episode of Consider This underscores the human cost of immigration policy changes, highlighting the urgent need for compassionate and informed decision-making to protect those who have already sacrificed so much in seeking safety and a better life.