This article examines the impacts of the new immigration executive order issued by President Trump in 2025 on the fate of Afghan visa applicants to the United States. This order, aimed at preventing illegal immigration, has not only halted the visa issuance process but also left thousands of Afghan applicants in a state of limbo and humanitarian crisis. This policy puts vulnerable individuals who have traveled to third countries to complete their visa process at risk of deportation and return to Afghanistan, where their lives are threatened due to their cooperation with American institutions. The present study explores the psychological and social consequences of this crisis, including anxiety, depression, and detrimental effects on family relationships and social belonging. Additionally, the article addresses the political impacts of this decision, such as reduced trust in the United States and decreased motivation for local forces to cooperate with the U.S. in the future.
From an economic perspective, visa applicants, having sold their assets and incurred heavy expenses in third countries, face poverty and economic instability. Furthermore, this article briefly and superficially narrates the legal and political dimensions of the situation through interviews with individuals affected by this order. The findings of this research indicate that stringent immigration policies can have long-term consequences on social cohesion, political trust, and international security, in addition to immediate effects. Therefore, adopting a humane approach consistent with international commitments in immigration policies seems necessary. This article is based on a qualitative study conducted over a limited time frame. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. In total, 15 interviews were conducted with participants, including 5 women and 5 men aged between 25 and 50 years, who are currently waiting in Pakistan and Qatar for flights to the United States. Additionally, interviews were conducted with 5 other individuals residing in the United States who are awaiting the arrival of their family members. Given the time and resource limitations, this article does not claim comprehensiveness but strives to deeply and accurately analyze and present the views and experiences of the participants. Ultimately, while each of the topics discussed in this study could serve as an independent subject for more in-depth analysis, this research has sought to present the perspectives and experiences of the interviewees in a comprehensive and cohesive manner. The primary goal is to depict an overall picture of the complex realities these individuals face, without compromising analytical precision and conceptual depth.