U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has instructed Afghan migrants living in the United States to report their immigration status during the holiday season. This directive has raised concerns among advocates and community leaders about the timing and implications of such requests, particularly given that they coincide with Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
ICE’s summons for scheduled check-ins includes requests for appointments on December 25 and January 1, as well as additional dates around the holidays, such as December 27 and December 30. According to letters obtained by Bloomberg News, these requests have prompted fears that individuals attending these meetings could face detainment.
Many of the recipients of these letters had previously received legal protection as part of the program initiated by former President Joe Biden in August 2021. This initiative aimed to safeguard those who fled Afghanistan following the U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban’s return to power.
Shawn VanDiver, founder of the nonprofit organization AfghanEvac, criticized the timing of these check-ins, stating, “ICE is using federal and religious holidays to detain Afghans when access to legal counsel, courts, and advocates is at its lowest. This is not routine administrative scheduling.”
In contrast, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security characterized the check-ins as “routine” and “long-standing,” without specifying how many letters had been dispatched. The spokesperson emphasized that ICE continues its operations during the holidays, despite the fact that Christmas and New Year’s Day are federal holidays when most government offices are closed.
Impact of Recent Policy Changes
This latest move forms part of a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration. The administration has been reassessing the status of Afghan refugees, particularly following a shooting incident in November involving an Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who had worked with U.S. forces. Charged with murder, Lakanwal entered the U.S. through the Operation Allies Welcome program.
In the wake of this incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the administration would review the cases of all refugees resettled under Biden and freeze their green card applications. The evaluation will consider “significant negative factors,” including a country’s status on the presidential travel ban list.
Moreover, the administration has drastically reduced the refugee cap for the fiscal year 2026 from 125,000 to 7,500, indicating a shift in priorities that appears to favor other demographic groups over Afghan nationals. Additionally, an exemption for Afghan nationals with Special Immigration Visas—designated for those who provided assistance to the U.S. military—has been removed as part of an expanded entry ban affecting over 30 countries.
The State Department also closed the office responsible for resettling Afghan refugees who assisted the U.S. war effort earlier this year. Attempts in Congress to compel the administration to reinstate these operations did not succeed, as they failed to be included in the defense policy bill signed by Trump.
The recent requests for check-ins during the holiday season have prompted significant backlash, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by Afghan migrants in the U.S. As advocacy groups raise their voices against these actions, the situation continues to unfold, with serious implications for those seeking safety and stability in the United States.
