Hundreds of Afghan nationals who supported U.S. efforts in Afghanistan have received notices from the federal government stating that the basis for their Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) has been revoked or denied. The recipients, many of whom already hold green cards and have lived in the U.S. for years, served in various capacities including as interpreters, embassy staff, and engineers for U.S. contractors. Legal advocates report that while these notices are not new, they have increased in frequency, leaving many former allies concerned about potential deportation.
The SIV program, authorized by Congress in 2009, was designed to provide a pathway for Afghans who faced threats due to their service to the U.S. government. Since its inception, approximately 160,000 visas have been issued, with more than half granted after the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul in 2021. The current wave of revocations stems from concerns regarding fraud in the application process, specifically related to the "Chief of Mission" approval, which requires verified letters of recommendation and proof of employment.
Federal officials began sending these notices toward the end of the Biden administration after identifying cases where supporting documents may have been fraudulent or obtained through bribery. Shawn VanDiver, president of AfghanEvac, stated that the investigation originally focused on companies and letter writers who were suspected of selling fraudulent recommendations. However, advocates note that the scope of these revocations now appears broader than initially expected, affecting individuals who have already integrated into American communities, enrolled their children in schools, and started careers.
A person receiving these notices would notice an immediate impact on their long-term stability, such as the inability to apply for citizenship or travel outside the U.S. in emergencies. One former engineer living in Washington state reported that despite being eligible for citizenship next year, he now fears being detained if he visits a USCIS office. The knock-on effects include increased demand for specialized legal services, as immigrants receive conflicting advice from lawyers on how to respond to the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security.
The policy shift occurs alongside broader changes to U.S. immigration programs, including the pause of the refugee resettlement program and the expiration of Temporary Protected Status for some groups. For these Afghan allies, the alternative—returning to Afghanistan—is described by those affected as a "death sentence" due to the Taliban’s control and ongoing humanitarian crises. The next steps for these individuals involve appeals to the Department of State, though advocates report a recent decline in the clarity and factual accuracy of final appeal decisions. The exact dates for potential deportation proceedings have not been reported.