Trump Announces Support For Afghan Refugees Stranded In The United Arab Emirates

President Donald J. Trump said Sunday that he would take steps to assist Afghan refugees who have been stranded in the United Arab Emirates for years following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a post on his Truth Social account.

“I will try to save them, starting right now,” Mr. Trump wrote, responding to a news report that the UAE may deport hundreds of Afghan evacuees to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The Reuters news agency, which reported the remarks, noted that the claim of imminent deportation had not been independently verified.

Mr. Trump did not offer details on how many refugees might be considered for resettlement or what mechanisms the U.S. government would use to facilitate their relocation. His comments marked a shift in tone from previous policy decisions by his administration, which has implemented stricter immigration controls since he took office for a second term in January.

The United Arab Emirates agreed in 2021 to temporarily host thousands of Afghan evacuees in facilities near Abu Dhabi after the collapse of the Afghan government. Many of those housed in the UAE had worked alongside U.S. forces or with Western organizations during the war. While the United States has admitted nearly 190,000 Afghans since 2021 through refugee and visa programs, a significant number remain in legal limbo, including individuals still waiting for background checks, interviews, or flight clearance.

Mr. Trump's pledge came months after his administration suspended the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program in January, citing national resource concerns amid broader migration surges. That decision paused the travel of over 1,600 Afghans who had already been approved for resettlement. In April, his administration also ended Temporary Protected Status for approximately 14,600 Afghans, asserting that conditions in Afghanistan had improved. Human rights groups have widely rejected that claim, citing credible evidence of persecution, arbitrary arrests, and systemic restrictions on women and civil society.

The president's latest statement drew a range of reactions from lawmakers, veterans, and refugee advocates. Groups such as #AfghanEvac and No One Left Behind have repeatedly urged the administration to uphold its moral obligations to Afghan allies, many of whom face threats to their safety due to their service alongside U.S. forces.

While some advocates expressed cautious optimism following Sunday's remarks, others highlighted apparent contradictions. In May, the administration created a separate humanitarian pathway for white South African refugees, prompting criticism over unequal treatment and racial bias in refugee policy. The lack of procedural clarity surrounding Mr. Trump's latest pledge has fueled skepticism among policy analysts and displaced Afghans alike.

The United Nations estimates that more than 500,000 Afghans will require resettlement in 2025 due to ongoing humanitarian needs. Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous countries for human rights defenders, journalists, and women, according to international observers.

As of Sunday evening, neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the Department of State had issued a formal plan or policy framework to carry out the president's commitment. It remains unclear whether existing programs such as the Special Immigrant Visa or Priority 1 refugee pathways will be used, or if a new mechanism will be created.

Many Afghans currently in the UAE remain in long-term facilities with no legal status and little clarity about their future. Some are separated from immediate family members in Afghanistan or the United States, and most lack work authorization or access to resettlement timelines.

For those waiting, Mr. Trump's promise offers a measure of hope. But until concrete policies are enacted, their fate remains uncertain.

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