Advocates are sounding the alarm.
A seminary student in North Carolina, Julie Tisdale, is advocating on behalf of about two dozen Afghan Christian refugees from her church who face deportation. She disputes claims by the Trump administration that conditions in Afghanistan have improved sufficiently for these individuals to safely return. Despite efforts to reach out to lawmakers and government officials, Tisdale has yet to find a strong supporter in Washington willing to publicly champion the refugees’ cause.
The Department of Homeland Security recently announced it will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals by mid-July, a designation that had allowed them to remain in the U.S. following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. DHS argues that Afghanistan’s security and economic situation have improved, though some TPS recipients have been flagged for security concerns. Tisdale counters that the danger for these refugees is primarily due to religious persecution, not economic hardship, as Afghan Christians are at high risk of violence and death under Taliban rule.
Many refugees supported by Tisdale’s church have suffered torture and imprisonment for their Christian faith, and some are also targeted because of past associations with the U.S. military. The church is assisting these individuals as they pursue asylum claims, appeals, or green card applications, providing legal help and financial support to ease their burdens.
Community members also offer practical aid, such as helping with childcare and transportation, as they work to ensure the refugees’ safety. Meanwhile, prominent figures like Franklin Graham are engaging with political leaders to advocate for Afghan Christians, hoping to influence government decisions to protect them from deportation.
Overall, Tisdale and her church remain deeply concerned about the refugees’ futures and continue to push for more substantial and visible backing from government officials to prevent their forced return to a country where they face serious threats to their lives.