Despite ongoing Taliban threats, the U.S. is ending some protections for Afghans

Monika Evstatieva

Z fled Afghanistan to escape the Taliban, and was allowed to enter and stay in the U.S. because of Temporary Protected Status. The Trump administration is ending the program in July.

"It's time for you to leave the United States."

The instruction to leave appeared in the inboxes of thousands of Afghans living in the U.S., delivered in a brief email in April from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). "You are currently here because the Department of Homeland Security paroled you into the United States for a limited period," the email stated. "Your parole will terminate 7 days from the date of this notice."

Z., a nurse's assistant, had just finished her hospital shift and was on her way home when she saw the message. It sent chills down her spine. "I couldn't sleep. I was scared. [I thought], what should I do?" she told NPR. (She asked that NPR identify her only by her first initial because she fears reprisals in Afghanistan, and does not want to jeopardize her immigration case in the U.S.)