Afghan immigrant facing deportation despite legal entry, lawyer warns of danger
An Afghan immigrant who served alongside U.S. troops in Afghanistan received a daunting email instructing him to self-deport from the United States. The man, whose identity remains undisclosed for security reasons, shared his distressing situation with Channel 9’s Tina Terry. Having fought in the Afghan army and supporting American soldiers before the conflict’s conclusion in 2021, he was guaranteed safety and a new life in the U.S.
Fear grips him at the thought of returning to war-torn Afghanistan, where he believes he and his loved ones face imminent danger. In a desperate plea, he expressed, “If I want to go back to Afghanistan, they’ll kill us. Me, my family, and children.” He is among the many recipients of such self-deportation directives from Homeland Security, forcing them to leave the country within a week. For this Afghan immigrant, this ultimatum poses a significant threat to his safety and future.
Despite the email’s mandate, the man remains stranded as he recently traversed a perilous journey from Afghanistan to the U.S. via Brazil and Iran. Utilizing the now-defunct CBP One program, established in 2020 to facilitate immigrants’ asylum applications at the border, he made it to the U.S.-Mexico border in 2024. His early compliance and adherence to federal guidelines positioned him as a legal immigrant, a fact confirmed by Immigration Attorney Ursula Bonar.
Bonar firmly advised the immigrant to stay in the country and continue the process of seeking permanent asylum through the legal system. She emphasized his lawful arrival and permission to reside in the U.S., assuring him that he was well within the designated timeframe. Astutely recognizing the immigrant’s legal standing, she urged him not to act on the email’s coercive demand and instead focus on his ongoing asylum application.
The cancellation of the CBP One program earlier in 2025 by former President Donald Trump prompted the email onslaught. Officials claimed that the program had been exploited to allow over a million undocumented immigrants into the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security shed light on the situation, clarifying that it affected individuals from various immigration programs, apart from CBP One users.
Amid the uncertain aftermath of this immigration debacle, a sense of hope persists for the Afghan immigrant grappling with deportation fears. Embracing the legal sanctuary offered by the U.S. judicial system, he aims to secure permanent asylum under due process. Attorney Bonar’s unwavering support and faith in the legal system underscore the significance of upholding immigrants’ rights, irrespective of policy changes or administrative decisions. The immigrant’s ordeal signifies the complex and challenging landscape faced by thousands seeking refuge and stability in a new land, highlighting the importance of due process and humane treatment for all individuals seeking asylum.