Afghan Refugees Receive Letters to Self-Deport

Some Afghan refugees who had legally resettled in the U.S. have received emails from the Department of Homeland Security urging them to self-deport. According to a report from Axios, the email warned, "Do not attempt to remain in the United States — the federal government will find you."

The New York-area nonprofit group Open Arms for Refugees invited a group of speakers to Ossining to highlight the impact of this message. (Watch the full press co

nference here. Our own Jmel Wilson speaks at 6:33.)

The letter came just days after the Trump administration ended legal protections for Afghans and Cameroonians living legally in the U.S. under temporary protected status (TPS). Many Afghan refugees aided the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan as interpreters, cultural advisors and logistic officers. They fled Afghanistan after the Taliban took over the government and branded American allies as traitors.

According to the DHS, TPS protection will expire on May 20 for thousands of Afghan refugees, and on June 7 for Cameroonians.