US extends Temporary Protected Status for Afghan Refugees by 60 days

The U.S. has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan refugees by 60 days, preventing deportation for thousands.

The head of AfghanEvac in the United States announced that the federal government has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan refugees by another 60 days.

According to Shawn VanDiver, this decision, announced today, Saturday, May 10, will temporarily prevent the deportation of approximately 14,600 Afghan refugees and 7,900 Cameroonian refugees. The extension comes in response to growing concerns about the conditions facing displaced populations from both countries.

However, VanDiver emphasized that the U.S. government has not yet made any statements regarding future extensions of the TPS status. The decision provides temporary relief for thousands of refugees, many of whom have been living in the U.S. under TPS since the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban in 2021.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a program that allows nationals from countries facing armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary conditions to live and work temporarily in the U.S. The extension ensures that refugees from Afghanistan and Cameroon will not face immediate deportation while the U.S. government evaluates the evolving situation in both countries.

In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had announced that the conditions in Afghanistan and Cameroon no longer met the criteria for continued TPS. As a result, the program for nationals from these two countries was scheduled to be terminated in May 2025, putting around 14,600 Afghan refugees at risk of deportation.

This decision sparked widespread reactions from refugee advocacy groups, who have expressed concerns about the safety of individuals who could be sent back to volatile regions. The latest extension provides some temporary relief but uncertainty remains about the future of TPS for these refugees.

The extension also highlights the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by displaced people in conflict zones and the role of the U.S. in offering temporary sanctuary. As diplomatic efforts continue to address the situation in Afghanistan and Cameroon, many hope for further extensions or a long-term resolution that allows for safe resettlement options.

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