WRAL by Heidi Kirk
The clock is ticking for Afghan refugees who got a letter from the Department of Homeland Security asking them to leave the country.
Organizations across the Triangle are working with refugees to figure out what's next. In many cases, that is not clear.
Inside the non-profit Refugee Hope Partners in Raleigh, it’s been six days of trying to find answers.
Last Friday was the first time staff saw an Afghan refugee with a letter asking them to leave the county.
"Afghans were reaching out to our staff, our volunteers, our church partners, seeking clarity and help," said Amanda Herbert, Refugee Hope Partners chief communications officer.
Herbert says almost a week later they still don’t have answers for the people asking if they should stay or go.
"We have sought and asked questions to so many people and so many levels of our government, and nobody can give a clear answer," she said. "We've been doing this now for six days, spending all day trying to seek clarity, find information, and nobody seems to have it."
Other local organizations that work with refugees are in the same position, unsure of what advice to give.
WRAL News sent those questions to all 16 members of North Carolina's congressional delegation. Only two Democrats replied.
Rep. Deborah Ross said, "We are pushing back hard against the Trump administration. Afghans have been coming to this country because they are being persecuted in Afghanistan by the Taliban, and when we bring people here who are being persecuted, it is our responsibility to take care of them."
Immigrants from Afghanistan have Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows citizens of certain countries legal status to be in the United States if it is too dangerous for them to return home. Many are Christians who would face persecution for their faith in the Taliban-led country.
The Trump administration revoked that status last week, but that order is expected to be challenged in court.
Adam Clark with World Relief Durham says the stakes are high.
"If we were to send some of them back to Afghanistan now in the control of the Taliban, there is no doubt that many of them would be killed, and their lives are at risk," Clark said.
Both agencies are continuing to urge refugees in this situation to seek legal advice before making a decision.
A senior official with the Department of Homeland Security told WRAL News, "To be clear: If you are an alien, being in the United States is a privilege — not a right. We are acting in the best interest of the country and enforcing the law accordingly."
Link to full article: https://www.wral.com/news/local/afghan-refugees-leave-order-nonprofits-help-april-2025/