U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has requested Afghan migrants residing in the United States to present their documents during the holiday season. This development represents the latest initiative by the Trump administration aimed at tightening immigration enforcement for individuals from Afghanistan. ICE has scheduled appointments for “check-ins,” with some migrants receiving notifications to report on significant federal holidays such as Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
According to letters reviewed by Bloomberg News, additional check-ins are planned for December 27 and December 30. These requests come at a time when many government offices are closed, raising concerns about the implications for individuals who may lack access to legal counsel and advocacy during these times.
Shawn VanDiver, founder of the nonprofit group AfghanEvac, criticized the timing of the call-ins, stating, “ICE is using federal and religious holidays to detain Afghans when access to legal counsel, courts, and advocates is at its lowest. This is not routine administrative scheduling.” In contrast, a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security referred to the check-ins as “routine” and did not disclose the number of letters sent out, maintaining that ICE continues its standard operations even during the holidays.
Significant changes to U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration have particularly affected Afghans, especially following a November 2021 incident involving an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who has been charged with murder after a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two National Guard troops. Lakanwal had resettled in the U.S. through the program known as Operation Allies Welcome, initiated to protect Afghan allies following the withdrawal of American troops and the Taliban’s resurgence.
In response to the November incident, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the administration would re-evaluate the cases of all refugees resettled under the Biden administration and halt green card applications. This review process considers various factors, including the inclusion of a country on the president’s extensive travel ban list. For fiscal year 2026, the administration has significantly reduced the refugee cap from 125,000 to 7,500, favoring the resettlement of White South Afrikaners while failing to mention Afghans.
The administration has also removed exemptions for Afghan nationals with Special Immigration Visas, which were intended for those who provided services to the U.S. government or military in Afghanistan. This policy change expands the entry ban list to nationals from over 30 countries, despite Afghan nationals already being included prior to this expansion.
Earlier this year, the State Department closed the office responsible for assisting Afghan refugees who had aided the U.S. war effort, and attempts on Capitol Hill to revive these operations were unsuccessful in the defense policy bill signed by Trump.
This latest development in U.S. immigration policy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Afghans who fled their home country under precarious circumstances and underscores the uncertain future for those still seeking refuge in the United States.
