Latest news with #Zadran
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Afghans in Kentucky fear for future after Trump strips deportation protections
By Amira Karaoud BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky (Reuters) -Afghan asylum-seeker Wazir Khan Zadran and his family arrived in Kentucky nearly four years ago as the U.S. military withdrew from his country. Now, he worries about the future of his children, especially his girls, if they are forced to return to Afghanistan. The Trump administration said it will end Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in July - raising the threat of being sent back to Afghanistan, where the Taliban rule according to Islamic law, if their asylum case is unsuccessful. "The future of children is bright here and they can study here, they can have a good future here. If we go back to my country, they are not good, especially for the girls," Zadran said. "They cannot go to school, they cannot go to university, they can do nothing. So, I hope they will do some things for the refugees of Afghanistan." Zadran was a tribal leader who fought 20 years ago against the Haqqani network, a powerful faction within the Taliban. He and his family were picked up in a helicopter by Americans in 2021 and taken to the Kabul airport for travel to the U.S. His oldest daughter Zuleikha is now preparing for college next year, but without permanent status in the U.S., the risk of deportation looms over her. The Zadrans' asylum application is pending, which means they can remain in the U.S. until a final decision is made on their case. TPS is available to people already in the U.S. who cannot return to their home countries due to armed conflicts, natural disasters or other extraordinary events. The Trump administration has moved to terminate the status for some 14,600 Afghans as well as hundreds of thousands from Venezuela and other nations. 'I discuss with my girls that you are lucky that you are here, that you are going to school, then you will finish school and go to college," Zadran said. "But if we were in Afghanistan, they will not have this right. Their future will be dark. But, in my country, the future of girls is so dark, it's so bad for them." The Taliban administration has barred girls over the age of 12 from school and women from university and has placed restrictions on women from traveling long distances without a male guardian. The Taliban says it respects women's rights in line with its interpretation of Islamic law. Zuleikha Zadran is happy she has graduated from high school and is heading to college with a scholarship, despite her fears. "Lately, I have been worried because people are saying that those without documents might be deported," she said. "I am scared that it will make my future dark, but even with that fear, I am proud of what I have achieved. And I am full of hope for what's ahead." Afghans in the U.S. can still request asylum, the Trump administration says. "Although TPS was terminated as required by law, any Afghan who fears persecution is able to request asylum," said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, adding that those with TPS revoked can apply for financial assistance to get resettled elsewhere. 'REALLY WORRIED' More than 70,000 Afghans entered the U.S. under former President Joe Biden's 'Operation Allies Welcome' initiative following the Taliban takeover in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Over 300 settled in Bowling Green, an agricultural and manufacturing city that has received refugees over the decades from Cambodians to Bosnians to Congolese. Unlike some other immigrant communities, Afghan families in Bowling Green aren't looking back - their investments and dreams are firmly rooted in the U.S. One such family, the Habibis, bought a house here. Wahida Habibi speaks fluent English, has a wide circle of friends locally, works at a bakery with her husband and two years ago gave birth to a baby boy. Zadran, meanwhile, works at a car dealership and is learning the business with the goal of opening his own soon. His main complaint is only that legal status cannot come fast enough - he initially thought that would happen in less than a year. "And the last three years … I was like what's going on?" said Zadran. Shawn VanDiver, the founder of #AfghanEvac, the main coalition of veterans and advocacy groups that coordinated resettlements of Afghans with the U.S. government, said Republicans need to stand up to Trump so that Afghans are not forced to return a country where their lives are in danger. "The Taliban hasn't changed. The threats haven't changed," he said. "The only thing that has changed is the guy who sits behind the Resolute Desk." People who worked with the Afghans on resettlement said the fear is palpable. 'The immigrant community, and especially the Afghans who have resettled a couple of years ago are really worried with all that's going on with immigration," said Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky which helps resettle refugees. Another Afghan asylum-seeker, Mohamed Azizi, said he is stressed. "We worry because right now the situation in my country is so bad and we worry about going back and starting life from the beginning," said Azizi.
Straits Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Afghans in Kentucky fear for future after Trump strips deportation protections
BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky - Afghan asylum-seeker Wazir Khan Zadran and his family arrived in Kentucky nearly four years ago as the U.S. military withdrew from his country. Now, he worries about the future of his children, especially his girls, if they are forced to return to Afghanistan. The Trump administration said it will end Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in July - raising the threat of being sent back to Afghanistan, where the Taliban rule according to Islamic law, if their asylum case is unsuccessful. "The future of children is bright here and they can study here, they can have a good future here. If we go back to my country, they are not good, especially for the girls," Zadran said. "They cannot go to school, they cannot go to university, they can do nothing. So, I hope they will do some things for the refugees of Afghanistan." Zadran was a tribal leader who fought 20 years ago against the Haqqani network, a powerful faction within the Taliban. He and his family were picked up in a helicopter by Americans in 2021 and taken to the Kabul airport for travel to the U.S. His oldest daughter Zuleikha is now preparing for college next year, but without permanent status in the U.S., the risk of deportation looms over her. The Zadrans' asylum application is pending, which means they can remain in the U.S. until a final decision is made on their case. TPS is available to people already in the U.S. who cannot return to their home countries due to armed conflicts, natural disasters or other extraordinary events. The Trump administration has moved to terminate the status for some 14,600 Afghans as well as hundreds of thousands from Venezuela and other nations. 'I discuss with my girls that you are lucky that you are here, that you are going to school, then you will finish school and go to college," Zadran said. "But if we were in Afghanistan, they will not have this right. Their future will be dark. But, in my country, the future of girls is so dark, it's so bad for them." The Taliban administration has barred girls over the age of 12 from school and women from university and has placed restrictions on women from traveling long distances without a male guardian. The Taliban says it respects women's rights in line with its interpretation of Islamic law. Zuleikha Zadran is happy she has graduated from high school and is heading to college with a scholarship, despite her fears. "Lately, I have been worried because people are saying that those without documents might be deported," she said. "I am scared that it will make my future dark, but even with that fear, I am proud of what I have achieved. And I am full of hope for what's ahead." Afghans in the U.S. can still request asylum, the Trump administration says. "Although TPS was terminated as required by law, any Afghan who fears persecution is able to request asylum," said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, adding that those with TPS revoked can apply for financial assistance to get resettled elsewhere. 'REALLY WORRIED' More than 70,000 Afghans entered the U.S. under former President Joe Biden's 'Operation Allies Welcome' initiative following the Taliban takeover in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Over 300 settled in Bowling Green, an agricultural and manufacturing city that has received refugees over the decades from Cambodians to Bosnians to Congolese. Unlike some other immigrant communities, Afghan families in Bowling Green aren't looking back - their investments and dreams are firmly rooted in the U.S. One such family, the Habibis, bought a house here. Wahida Habibi speaks fluent English, has a wide circle of friends locally, works at a bakery with her husband and two years ago gave birth to a baby boy. Zadran, meanwhile, works at a car dealership and is learning the business with the goal of opening his own soon. His main complaint is only that legal status cannot come fast enough - he initially thought that would happen in less than a year. "And the last three years … I was like what's going on?" said Zadran. Shawn VanDiver, the founder of #AfghanEvac, the main coalition of veterans and advocacy groups that coordinated resettlements of Afghans with the U.S. government, said Republicans need to stand up to Trump so that Afghans are not forced to return a country where their lives are in danger. "The Taliban hasn't changed. The threats haven't changed," he said. "The only thing that has changed is the guy who sits behind the Resolute Desk." People who worked with the Afghans on resettlement said the fear is palpable. 'The immigrant community, and especially the Afghans who have resettled a couple of years ago are really worried with all that's going on with immigration," said Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky which helps resettle refugees. Another Afghan asylum-seeker, Mohamed Azizi, said he is stressed. "We worry because right now the situation in my country is so bad and we worry about going back and starting life from the beginning," said Azizi. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
29-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Afghans in Kentucky fear for future after Trump strips deportation protections
* Afghans resettled in US under Biden thrive in Kentucky town * Community fears limited lives for girls if they are sent back to Afghanistan * Trump administration to end temporary protected status for Afghans in July BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky, - Afghan asylum-seeker Wazir Khan Zadran and his family arrived in Kentucky nearly four years ago as the U.S. military withdrew from his country. Now, he worries about the future of his children, especially his girls, if they are forced to return to Afghanistan. The Trump administration said it will end Temporary Protected Status for Afghans in July - raising the threat of being sent back to Afghanistan, where the Taliban rule according to Islamic law, if their asylum case is unsuccessful. "The future of children is bright here and they can study here, they can have a good future here. If we go back to my country, they are not good, especially for the girls," Zadran said. "They cannot go to school, they cannot go to university, they can do nothing. So, I hope they will do some things for the refugees of Afghanistan." Zadran was a tribal leader who fought 20 years ago against the Haqqani network, a powerful faction within the Taliban. He and his family were picked up in a helicopter by Americans in 2021 and taken to the Kabul airport for travel to the U.S. His oldest daughter Zuleikha is now preparing for college next year, but without permanent status in the U.S., the risk of deportation looms over her. The Zadrans' asylum application is pending, which means they can remain in the U.S. until a final decision is made on their case. TPS is available to people already in the U.S. who cannot return to their home countries due to armed conflicts, natural disasters or other extraordinary events. The Trump administration has moved to terminate the status for some 14,600 Afghans as well as hundreds of thousands from Venezuela and other nations. 'I discuss with my girls that you are lucky that you are here, that you are going to school, then you will finish school and go to college," Zadran said. "But if we were in Afghanistan, they will not have this right. Their future will be dark. But, in my country, the future of girls is so dark, it's so bad for them." The Taliban administration has barred girls over the age of 12 from school and women from university and has placed restrictions on women from traveling long distances without a male guardian. The Taliban says it respects women's rights in line with its interpretation of Islamic law. Zuleikha Zadran is happy she has graduated from high school and is heading to college with a scholarship, despite her fears. "Lately, I have been worried because people are saying that those without documents might be deported," she said. "I am scared that it will make my future dark, but even with that fear, I am proud of what I have achieved. And I am full of hope for what's ahead." Afghans in the U.S. can still request asylum, the Trump administration says. "Although TPS was terminated as required by law, any Afghan who fears persecution is able to request asylum," said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, adding that those with TPS revoked can apply for financial assistance to get resettled elsewhere. 'REALLY WORRIED' More than 70,000 Afghans entered the U.S. under former President Joe Biden's 'Operation Allies Welcome' initiative following the Taliban takeover in 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Over 300 settled in Bowling Green, an agricultural and manufacturing city that has received refugees over the decades from Cambodians to Bosnians to Congolese. Unlike some other immigrant communities, Afghan families in Bowling Green aren't looking back - their investments and dreams are firmly rooted in the U.S. One such family, the Habibis, bought a house here. Wahida Habibi speaks fluent English, has a wide circle of friends locally, works at a bakery with her husband and two years ago gave birth to a baby boy. Zadran, meanwhile, works at a car dealership and is learning the business with the goal of opening his own soon. His main complaint is only that legal status cannot come fast enough - he initially thought that would happen in less than a year. "And the last three years … I was like what's going on?" said Zadran. Shawn VanDiver, the founder of #AfghanEvac, the main coalition of veterans and advocacy groups that coordinated resettlements of Afghans with the U.S. government, said Republicans need to stand up to Trump so that Afghans are not forced to return a country where their lives are in danger. "The Taliban hasn't changed. The threats haven't changed," he said. "The only thing that has changed is the guy who sits behind the Resolute Desk." People who worked with the Afghans on resettlement said the fear is palpable. 'The immigrant community, and especially the Afghans who have resettled a couple of years ago are really worried with all that's going on with immigration," said Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky which helps resettle refugees. Another Afghan asylum-seeker, Mohamed Azizi, said he is stressed. "We worry because right now the situation in my country is so bad and we worry about going back and starting life from the beginning," said Azizi.
Gulf Today
28-02-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Buoyant Afghans plot Australia downfall after dumping out England at Champions Trophy
Afghanistan skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi on Thursday targeted another big scalp in the form of Australia after knocking England out of the Champions Trophy, with a semi-final spot the prize. The Champions Trophy debutants sent England crashing out of the 50-over tournament with a thrilling eight-run victory in Lahore on Wednesday. Afghanistan similarly stunned then holders England at the 2023 World Cup in India. They play world champions Australia at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium on Friday in their final group match and must win to reach the last four of the eight-nation tournament. 'Obviously a win like this boosts every team's confidence and strengthens them,' Shahidi said after Afghanistan sent England packing. 'Our morale has increased even more.' The skipper added: 'The upcoming match will be crucial for both teams in the race for the semi-finals. 'Australia is a tough and good team. I have said this in previous conferences as well -- that we came here to play good cricket. 'We will try to play a positive game. Just like we defeated England, we hope to beat Australia as well. 'We won't put that pressure on ourselves by thinking too much about the semi-final qualification.' Rain is forecast in Lahore but even a washout will keep Afghanistan in contention to reach the semi-finals, but they will then have to depend on other results or net run-rate. Australia beat Ashes rivals England by five wickets in their opening match, then their game with South Africa was washed out without a ball being bowled. Another washout would send the Australians through. Despite the uncertainty and rain also forcing them to train indoors, Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne said his side were 'ready to go'. 'I think most of our preparation sort of came before the tournament,' he said. The Afghans will again enjoy strong support in Lahore but Labuschagne said that will only spur on Steve Smith's team. 'We'd love to win tomorrow and silence the crowd and really put that on,' said Labuschagne. Zadran sparkles: Afghanistan, a growing force in white-ball cricket, and Australia have played four ODIs previously with the Australians winning all of them. At the 2023 World Cup, Afghanistan had Australia on the ropes at 91-7 when a cramping Glenn Maxwell hammered an unbeaten 201 to pull off victory in Mumbai. Afghanistan roared back to beat Australia at last year's T20 World Cup and they reached the semi-finals in a landmark achievement. The Afghans suffered a 107-run hammering to South Africa in their Champions Trophy opener last week but bounced back to post 325-7 against England. Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177, the highest individual innings in Champions Trophy history, after Afghanistan chose to bat and were struggling on a precarious 37-3. In reply, England were all out for 317 to suffer their second straight defeat. The 23-year-old Zadran, who scored 17 against South Africa, is back in action after a long lay-off following ankle surgery. 'Even though he was away from cricket for six months, it's never easy for a player to return from injury and make such a strong comeback in a high-stakes match,' said Shahidi. 'I am extremely happy for him because he is a very talented and hard-working player.' 'They aren't going to take us lightly', coach Trott: Head Coach Trott lauded Afghanistan's win over England to keep their semifinal hopes alive but wants his team to immediately shift their focus to the Australia showdown, where a win will seal their place in the knockouts. 'I'm going to make sure when they wake up tomorrow, they enjoy tonight, (but) wake up tomorrow ready for Australia. As soon as they wake up tomorrow, the focus is on Australia,' Trott said. Agencies
Observer
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Zadran helps Afghanistan dump England out of CT
LAHORE: England were knocked out of the Champions Trophy after they suffered an eight-run defeat against tournament debutants Afghanistan in a Group B match on Wednesday. Opener Ibrahim Zadran smashed 177 off 146 balls, the highest score in the tournament's history, to help Afghanistan overcome Jofra Archer's three early wickets and rack up 325-7. Joe Root's classy 120 kept England alive in the chase until the 46th over but Afghanistan chipped away with regular wickets eventually bowling them out for 317 with one ball left in the innings. Azmatullah Omarzai was the pick of the Afghanistan bowlers claiming 5-58. (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Toby Davis) Playing under the cloud of boycott calls from some British politicians over the plight of women in the Taliban-ruled nation, Afghanistan elected to bat in a bid to bounce back from their opening loss. But they soon slipped to 37-3 inside nine overs before Zadran pulled the innings together with a fourth-wicket partnership of 103 with skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, who made 40. Zadran later added 111 for the sixth wicket with Mohammad Nabi, who hit 40 in 24 balls. Zadran, 23, took apart the England bowling and went past his previous ODI best of 162 in his 146-ball knock laced with 12 fours and six sixes. He not only broke his own record for Afghanistan's highest individual ODI score but also a tournament record, days after Ben Duckett's 165 in England's opening loss to Australia. England fast bowler Jofra Archer struck three early blows including two in one over starting with Rahmanullah Gurbaz bowled for six. Jofra and new-ball partner Mark Wood worked up fast speeds between 145 kmph and 150 kmph but were soon jolted by an injury to Wood, who twice left the field. Wood's absence after bowling just four overs allowed Zadran to counter attack, forcing skipper Jos Buttler to rotate his bowling options. Leg-spinner Adil Rashid finally broke the stand as he bowled Shahidi who failed to connect an attempted reverse sweep and the ball rattled the stumps. Zadran reached his seventh ODI ton with a single of Liam Livingstone as he and Azmatullah Omarzai changed gears in a brisk stand of 72 until Omarzai departed on 41. Zadran remained unaffected by the wicket as he kept up the attack and hammered a six and three fours off Archer. Wood went off again after bowling another set of four overs with Buttler left to manage his options against a rampaging Zadran and Nabi. Zadran finally fell to Livingstone, who also sent back Nabi in the final over. Afghanistan previously faced England in an ODI in the 2023 World Cup in New Delhi where they shocked the defending champions with a stunning victory. — AFP
