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The Taliban government on Saturday made a direct appeal to Afghans seeking refuge abroad, urging them to return to Afghanistan rather than pursue emigration to the United States, in response to a new travel ban imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Speaking during a national address for the Eid al-Adha holiday, Taliban Prime Minister Hassan Akhund referenced the growing number of Afghans stranded in legal limbo after the U.S. administration expanded its list of countries subject to immigration restrictions — with Afghanistan among the 12 newly targeted nations.
U.S. Travel Ban Shuts Doors on Afghan Hopefuls
Trump’s executive order, issued earlier this week, cited a lack of “competent” central authorities in Afghanistan capable of verifying passport authenticity and conducting effective security vetting. The administration framed the move as necessary to protect U.S. national security, but the impact on ordinary Afghans has been swift and severe.
Under the new restrictions, Afghans must apply for visas from third countries — primarily Pakistan — where many already face tightening immigration controls and deportation campaigns.
In recent months, the Trump administration has also revoked temporary legal protections for Afghans living in the U.S., with deportations scheduled to resume in July.
Taliban Appeals to Former U.S. Collaborators
In response to the growing desperation among Afghans abroad, Prime Minister Akhund sought to project reassurance. “For those who are worried that America has closed its doors to Afghans… I want to tell them: Return to your country,” he said, addressing both refugees and those who worked for or alongside U.S. forces during the two-decade war.
“Even if you have served the Americans for 20 or 30 years for their ends, and ruined the Islamic system, you will not face abuse or trouble,” he claimed, referring to a general amnesty declared by Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada after the group seized power in 2021.
Akhund said the Eid message aimed to reunify Afghans under the Islamic system and dispel fears that returning refugees would be punished.
A Record of Retaliation and Rights Violations
While the Taliban leadership insists on the existence of a general amnesty, multiple international organizations — including the United Nations — have documented extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and acts of reprisal against former military personnel, civil servants, and aid workers linked to the previous U.S.-backed government.
Human rights watchdogs have also warned that the Taliban’s assurances have not translated into consistent protections, especially in rural regions where power is tightly controlled by local commanders.
In parallel, the Taliban has imposed strict interpretations of Islamic law, notably enforcing bans on female education, employment, and public visibility — a regime that the UN has labeled “gender apartheid.”
Shrinking Refuge for Afghans Abroad
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, more than 1.6 million Afghans have fled to neighboring countries, especially Pakistan and Iran, amid economic collapse, persecution fears, and social restrictions.
The initial U.S. evacuation saw tens of thousands airlifted out of Kabul, but the chaotic withdrawal left many behind. The situation has since worsened, with border countries increasingly unwilling to host refugees long-term.
Pakistan, a traditional destination for Afghan migrants, has begun large-scale deportation campaigns, citing domestic security concerns and economic strain. Afghans lacking legal status now face arrest, detention, and forced removal.
Trump’s Immigration Reset and Afghan Exclusion
Since Trump’s return to the White House in January, his administration has reversed many of the protections introduced for Afghans under previous U.S. policies. This includes disruption of refugee pathways, stricter asylum screening, and the cancelation of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) fast track, which previously helped those who served alongside U.S. forces.
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The new travel ban formalizes and expands these changes, effectively closing off most legal avenues for Afghans to seek safety in the United States — even for those facing credible threats or with previous ties to American missions.
Legal experts say the decision could be challenged on humanitarian grounds, but the political environment makes such efforts uncertain.
Taliban Seeks Political Leverage Amid Humanitarian Crisis
The Taliban’s appeal for repatriation may reflect both a desire for international legitimacy and a need to manage growing domestic pressures. The regime is under strain due to economic isolation, sanctions, and dwindling aid flows, which have contributed to widespread poverty and hunger.
By encouraging Afghans abroad to return, the Taliban may be hoping to bolster national unity, project strength, and undermine Western narratives of mass rejection of their rule.
However, given the credible risks faced by returnees — from both state actors and non-state militias — it remains unclear how many Afghans will heed the call.
