Season 2, Episode 7: Revoked TPS for Afghans and the Cost of American Abandonment

In this episode of ESL for Equality, we dig into the Trump administration’s decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals, just three years after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and left many of its allies behind. We explore the history of TPS, the chaotic 2021 exit, and how this policy shift puts thousands of Afghans at risk of deportation to a country still ruled by the Taliban. We contrast this with the recent welcoming of white South African “refugees” and ask: Who gets protection in America and why? Call to Action: - Call your members of Congress. Demand they support permanent protections for Afghans — including pathways to citizenship for TPS holders and SIV applicants. - Support legal aid organizations like the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and the Afghan-American Community Organization (AACO), who are fighting for TPS holders and helping with asylum claims. - Write an op-ed. Talk to your local paper. Use your voice. Policy changes when people make noise. - Donate to mutual aid funds that support Afghan families facing eviction, job loss, or legal uncertainty. - Talk about this. Share this episode. Talk to your friends, your family. Make sure people understand this isn’t just a political decision — it’s a moral crisis. This is about justice and it’s not too late to act. Host: Hannah Joos Original Music: Michael Caskey aka Bunny Patootie