Latest news with #AfghanistanWar
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump issues travel ban, bars Afghans from entry into US
President Donald Trump issued an executive order Wednesday blocking Afghan nationals from entering the U.S., another blow to Afghan allies seeking refuge in a country that has provided fewer and fewer pathways for their safety. The order, which goes into effect June 9, will fully suspend immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for 12 locations the current administration said uses deficient vetting processes that jeopardize U.S. national security. 'The Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group, controls Afghanistan,' the order read. 'Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.' The order also cited an Afghanistan business and tourist visa overstay rate of 9.7%, and a student, vocational and exchange visitor visa overstay rate of 29.3% as reasons for the ban. Afghan allies who helped the U.S. military during the Afghanistan War, as well as relatives of U.S. service members, are currently stranded in Afghanistan and fear for their lives due to Taliban retaliation, Military Times previously reported. Shawn VanDiver, CEO of the Afghan relocation advocacy group AfghanEvac, slammed the presidential directive in a publicly released statement. DHS ends deportation protections for Afghans 'The Trump administration's latest Executive Order may claim to be about national security — but make no mistake: this is a political stunt disguised as policy,' he said. 'It reinstates a sweeping ban on entry for Afghan nationals and others, while quietly dismantling the very systems that have kept our country safe.' Afghans who hold special immigrant visas are exempt from the ban, the order stated. VanDiver said the exception was 'really good news,' but at the same time, the recently announced termination of Operation Enduring Welcome and the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts office — the program and facilitator of Afghan relocation efforts — muddied that relief. 'The headline, 'Travel ban includes exemption for SIVs,' is the smoke,' VanDiver told Military Times over the phone. 'The fire is, 'Oh, by the way, we dismantled all the things that allow you to process, that allow you to relocate.'' VanDiver said he was concerned the closure of those resettlement mechanisms, which would affect nearly 300,000 Afghan nationals, would make it so that only SIV holders with wealth or connections would find their way to the U.S. 'That's not who we are as America,' he said. Other exemptions include green card holders, foreign nationals with valid nonimmigrant visas and unique classifications listed in the executive order, athletes traveling for the World Cup or other State Department-approved sporting events, immediate family immigrant visas with clear evidence of identity and family relationship, adoptions, U.S. government employees with an SIV and immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran. Afghan refugees who fall within the purview of the United States Refugee Admissions Program were not exempt. Trump signed an executive order suspending USRAP on Jan. 20.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hegseth orders new panel to review US military withdrawal from Afghanistan
The Pentagon is convening a new panel to review the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and previous investigations into the event, according to a new memo released Tuesday. The memo, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, orders a 'Special Review Panel' to examine prior investigations and analyze the decision-making that led to the chaotic and deadly departure, which happened under President Biden but was set in motion by President Trump in 2020 when he negotiated and signed a deal with the Taliban committing to an earlier timeline for the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. 'Over the last three months, the Department has been engaged in a review of this catastrophic event in our military 's history,' Hegseth writes. 'I have concluded that we need to conduct a comprehensive review to ensure that accountability for this event is met and that the complete picture is provided to the American people.' Trump following his election loss in 2020 ordered a rapid withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, though the effort was slow rolled by senior officials, according to testimony released by the congressional January 6 committee in October 2022. After taking office, Biden delayed the planned withdrawal by a few months, but in the weeks before the U.S. was to fully leave, the country quickly fell to the Taliban, who seized abandoned American military equipment. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan citizens then attempted to flee the country by swarming the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul where forces were exiting. In the chaos, 13 U.S. service members and more than 170 Afghans were killed by a suicide bombing outside the Abbey Gate of airport. The event sparked a House Foreign Affairs Committee's investigation and has been heavily criticized by Trump, who said he expects a Pentagon review of the withdrawal to result in the removal of most of the generals involved. At a Feb. 26 Cabinet meeting attended by Hegseth, Trump said 'every single one' of the military generals involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan should be fired. 'I'm not going to tell this man what to do, but I will say that if I had his place I'd fire every single one of them,' Trump said, gesturing to Hegseth. 'I don't see a big promotion in that group,' Trump later said. 'I think I think they're going to be largely gone.' Heading the new Pentagon panel will be Sean Parnell, a top Hegseth advisor and spokesman, as well as an Afghanistan War veteran. Also serving on it will be retired Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, who was forced to leave the service after he posted viral videos in August 2021 — directly after the airport suicide bombing — in which he appeared in uniform while calling out senior military leaders for the deadly withdrawal. Also included is Jerry Dunleavy, an author and former investigative reporter for the Washington Examiner who helped lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee's investigation into the Afghanistan pullout. 'Sean and his team will look at the facts, examine the sources, interview witnesses, analyze the decision making, and post-mortem the chain of events that led to one of America's darkest moments,' Hegseth said in a statement alongside the memo. He said the panel will provide updates 'at appropriate times to keep the American people informed of our findings and any directed actions resulting from our review.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump administration secures release of US veteran held in Venezuela, family says
The family of a U.S. Air Force veteran who was wrongfully detained in Venezuela since November 2024, on Tuesday, said he was released. Joseph St. Clair, a four-tour Afghanistan War veteran from Hansville, Washington, first went missing in November while getting PTSD treatment in Colombia. "This news came suddenly, and we are still processing it—but we are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude," said Scott and Patti St. Clair, Joseph's parents. Venezuelan Oppo Leader Joins Cuban-born Gop Lawmaker Praising Trump For Canceling Biden-maduro Oil Deal The details surrounding St. Clair's release were not disclosed. The St. Clair family declined to comment further to Fox News Digital. The family also thanked President Donald Trump, as well as his administration, for securing St. Clair's release. Trump, Ambassador Ric Grenell, Adam Boehler and Sebastian Gorka, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, had worked to secure Joseph's release. Read On The Fox News App Top Dem Denies Ignoring Constituent Abducted By Maduro After Being Lambasted For Abrego Garcia Advocacy "We remain in prayer and solidarity with the families of those who are still being held," the St. Clairs added. "We will never stop loving and supporting them as they continue their fight to be reunited with their loved ones." In February, St. Clair's father got a call from the Colombian consulate telling him neighboring Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro's regime had his son hostage. With the addition of St. Clair, at least 37 Americans have been released from hostage situations in six countries – Afghanistan, Belarus, Venezuela, Israel, Russia and Kuwait — since Trump took office. St. Clair is the seventh American to be released from Venezuela since January. Six others were released from the South American nation on Jan.31, 2025, after Grenell met with article source: Trump administration secures release of US veteran held in Venezuela, family says
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Hegseth orders new panel to review US military withdrawal from Afghanistan
The Pentagon is convening a new panel to review the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and previous investigations into the event, according to a new memo released Tuesday. The memo, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, orders a 'Special Review Panel' to examine prior investigations and analyze the decision-making that led to the chaotic and deadly departure, which happened under President Biden but was set in motion by President Trump in 2020 when he negotiated and signed a deal with the Taliban committing to an earlier timeline for the drawdown of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. 'Over the last three months, the Department has been engaged in a review of this catastrophic event in our military 's history,' Hegseth writes. 'I have concluded that we need to conduct a comprehensive review to ensure that accountability for this event is met and that the complete picture is provided to the American people.' Trump following his election loss in 2020 ordered a rapid withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan, though the effort was slow rolled by senior officials, according to testimony released by the congressional January 6 committee in October 2022. After taking office, Biden delayed the planned withdrawal by a few months, but in the weeks before the U.S. was to fully leave, the country quickly fell to the Taliban, who seized abandoned American military equipment. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan citizens then attempted to flee the country by swarming the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul where forces were exiting. In the chaos, 13 U.S. service members and more than 170 Afghans were killed by a suicide bombing outside the Abbey Gate of airport. The event sparked a House Foreign Affairs Committee's investigation and has been heavily criticized by Trump, who said he expects a Pentagon review of the withdrawal to result in the removal of most of the generals involved. At a Feb. 26 Cabinet meeting attended by Hegseth, Trump said 'every single one' of the military generals involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan should be fired. 'I'm not going to tell this man what to do, but I will say that if I had his place I'd fire every single one of them,' Trump said, gesturing to Hegseth. 'I don't see a big promotion in that group,' Trump later said. 'I think I think they're going to be largely gone.' Heading the new Pentagon panel will be Sean Parnell, a top Hegseth advisor and spokesman, as well as an Afghanistan War veteran. Also serving on it will be retired Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller, who was forced to leave the service after he posted viral videos in August 2021 — directly after the airport suicide bombing — in which he appeared in uniform while calling out senior military leaders for the deadly withdrawal. Also included is Jerry Dunleavy, an author and former investigative reporter for the Washington Examiner who helped lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee's investigation into the Afghanistan pullout. 'Sean and his team will look at the facts, examine the sources, interview witnesses, analyze the decision making, and post-mortem the chain of events that led to one of America's darkest moments,' Hegseth said in a statement alongside the memo. He said the panel will provide updates 'at appropriate times to keep the American people informed of our findings and any directed actions resulting from our review.'
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Top Dem denies ignoring constituent abducted by Maduro after being lambasted for Abrego Garcia advocacy
A top Democrat refuted claims she ignored correspondence from a constituent whose son was abducted by Venezuela's military while she was publicly advocating for Salvadoran deportee Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. — who, until Republicans retook the Senate, was third in line to the presidency — told Fox News Digital through a spokesperson on Monday they have no record of correspondence from Scott St. Clair asking for help for his imprisoned son. "Our office has no record of an inquiry from the St. Clair family; however, our staff is ready and willing to help support the return of Joseph however possible," the Murray spokesperson said, after Fox News Digital asked about comments from St. Clair to KTTH radio host Jason Rantz, wherein the father said he received "nothing" in response from Murray. "We'll be working to get in touch with the family directly," the Murray spokesperson said, adding constituent service is a "top priority." Patty Murray Went From A Mom In Tennis Shoes To Second-in-line For The Presidency Joseph St. Clair, a four-tour Afghanistan War veteran from Hansville, Washington, first went missing in November while getting PTSD treatment in Colombia. Read On The Fox News App In February, his father got a call from the Colombian consulate telling him neighboring Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro's regime had taken him hostage. As for her Abrego Garcia advocacy, her office said Murray "is also committed to protecting the fundamental right to due process in America — and will not shy away from condemning the Trump administration's dangerous efforts to undermine the rule of law." On Thursday, Murray retweeted Sen. Chris Van Hollen's, D-Md., photo with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, writing, "We're with you, Senator Van Hollen." "In America, we don't send people to foreign prisons for life with no trial and no due process. We'll keep fighting. This is about protecting our democracy," she continued. She also released a video saying the Trump administration "abruptly ripped Garcia off the streets." "They admitted that this deportation was a mistake. Now the president is trying to pretend that he has no power to bring him back from one of the most horrific prisons in the world. This is un-American. It is immoral. It is illegal. And it needs to stop," Murray said. Venezuelan Oppo Leader Joins Cuban-born Gop Lawmaker Praising Trump For Canceling Biden-maduro Oil Deal Rantz lambasted Murray's tweet, saying that while she "pretends to care about an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, she's ignoring the father of an American USAF vet who was kidnapped by the Maduro regime in Venezuela." Another Seattle figure, Discovery Institute's Jonathan Choe, recounted Murray's comments on Abrego Garcia, and then the plight of the St. Claires, remarking on X, "Make it make sense." Several other people slammed the senator on X over the situation, while a hostage aid group reprinted part of Rantz's report on the matter. Scott St. Clair told Rantz that his son was held alongside several other Americans whom President Donald Trump envoy Ric Grenell was able to bring home during a Jan. 31 meeting with Maduro. Joseph St. Clair's military credentials originally drew the Venezuelans' attention, his father said. Another Trump envoy, Adam Boehler, reached out to the family to assist them, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio officially designated Joseph St. Clair "wrongfully detained." Rantz shared apparent screenshots of Scott St. Clair's purported attempts to contact Murray, before "a senator from another state would agree to intervene." That lawmaker turned out to be Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., to whom Fox News Digital reached out for comment. Scott St. Clair appeared to reach out to Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., by email, and Murray via Twitter direct message on March 23 after Rubio officially designated his son captive. In one email from February shared with Rantz, Scott St. Clair wrote that "as a matter of record" he also sent a letter to Murray "via web form" and appeared to include text of the letter in a prior reply that was partially hidden. He also shared a screenshot of his X direct message to Murray where he shared a "Bring Joe Home" graphic and the message: "I am a Washingtonian and need advocacy to secure the release of our son from captivity in Venezuela. I sent your office an email and received no reply." Scott St. Clair said he received some response from Cantwell but ultimately pivoted to Schmitt. "We need all the help we can get. Congress needs to demand that Maduro release our citizens held hostage as political pawns," he wrote to Murray, according to one screenshot viewed by Fox News Digital. "As a matter of fact, we have been just screaming this story, ever since we found out February 4, to anybody and everybody that will listen to us," Joseph's mother added in a Monday night interview on "Fox News @ Night." "We do not have our state's backing from congressmen or senators," she said. "Thank God we do have some senators stepping up from other states to help us, but nothing at all from ours." Scott St. Clair added, "We need the Trump administration, but we need Congress to put this on their voice; to be a megaphone for the fact that this is a real American issue. And we're talking about things often that don't seem like real American issues." "We would welcome [Murray's] advocacy, yes, but I don't think it's coming," he article source: Top Dem denies ignoring constituent abducted by Maduro after being lambasted for Abrego Garcia advocacy
