Rep. Betty McCollum Slams Trump Administration for Betraying Afghans who Supported American Troops and Diplomats

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday morning, the Department of Homeland Security announced that in one month it will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan, effectively abandoning life-saving protections for over 11,000 Afghans who fled Taliban persecution after supporting U.S. military engagement in the region.  

In response to the Trump Administration’s decision to betray our Afghan allies, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement:

“Our Afghan allies risked everything, including their own lives and the safety of their families, to keep American troops and diplomats out of harm’s way during the war in Afghanistan.

“President Trump’s decision to end TPS for these American allies is an appalling betrayal of their service and assistance to our nation. When they return home, they may face the wrath of a Taliban government that regularly facilitates the assassination, arbitrary arrest, and human rights abuses of those they view as dissidents.

“This decision doesn’t just harm our Afghan allies; it fundamentally undermines American trust around the world.”

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