Shawn VanDiver, head of the US-based Afghan refugee advocacy organization AfghanEvac, has strongly criticized the immigration policies of President Donald Trump’s administration toward Afghan nationals.
Speaking at a recent event, VanDiver described the treatment of Afghan allies of the United States and asylum seekers as “horrific, malicious, and cruel.”
He argued that recent decisions affecting Afghan refugees and immigration pathways were not accidental but rather the direct result of political decisions made at the White House.
VanDiver also accused Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Adviser, of playing a central role in restricting immigration opportunities for Afghan citizens.
According to the AfghanEvac leader, these policies have left thousands of Afghans who previously worked alongside US military forces, diplomatic missions, and government institutions facing uncertainty about their future.
Following his return to office, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders on immigration that introduced stricter controls on entry and refugee admissions from several countries, including Afghanistan.
Afghanistan has also been included among countries whose citizens face additional entry restrictions into the United States, a move that critics say has affected the processing of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) designed for Afghan partners of the US government.
Supporters of Afghan relocation programs argue that many applicants remain at risk because of their previous cooperation with American institutions and continue to face security concerns while waiting for immigration decisions.
Critics warn that prolonged restrictions and delays could expose thousands of Afghan applicants and their families to serious humanitarian and security challenges.
The debate over Afghan refugee admissions remains one of the most sensitive issues in US immigration policy, particularly regarding individuals who supported American operations during two decades of conflict in Afghanistan.
