In a move that has sparked controversy, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has summoned numerous Afghan migrants residing in the United States to mandatory check-ins during the holiday season. This action represents a significant escalation in the Trump administration's ongoing efforts to tighten immigration enforcement, particularly targeting individuals from Afghanistan.
Check-Ins Scheduled for Federal Holidays
According to documentation reviewed by Bloomberg News, ICE has sent out letters requesting "scheduled report check-ins" to multiple individuals. Notably, some of these appointments are set for days when most government offices are traditionally closed. One letter demands an appearance on Christmas Day, December 25, while another schedules a meeting for New Year's Day, January 1. Additional notices were issued for dates surrounding the holidays, including December 27 and December 30.
The recipients of these letters are primarily Afghans who were granted legal protection in the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. This program was initiated by former President Joe Biden in August 2021 to provide refuge for those who fled Afghanistan following the U.S. military withdrawal and the Taliban's subsequent takeover. Many were designated as "Afghan allies" for their assistance to American forces during the two-decade conflict.
Criticism and Official Response
Advocacy groups have condemned the timing of the check-ins, arguing it severely limits access to legal resources. Shawn VanDiver, founder of the nonprofit AfghanEvac, stated, "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." The agency has a history of arresting individuals who appear for such appointments, including those attending interviews for permanent residency (green cards).
However, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security defended the actions, characterizing the check-ins as "routine" and "long-standing" procedures. The spokesperson declined to specify how many letters were issued but confirmed that ICE maintains standard operations throughout the holiday period.
Broader Policy Shift Under Trump Administration
This enforcement push follows substantial changes to U.S. immigration policy since President Donald Trump returned to office. The crackdown on Afghan migrants intensified after the November shooting of two National Guard troops by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in 2021 via the Biden-era program. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem linked Lakanwal, who now faces murder charges, to Operation Allies Welcome.
In response, the Trump administration announced it would re-review the cases of all refugees resettled under the previous administration and freeze their pending green card applications. Officials stated they would consider a country's inclusion on the president's expansive travel ban list as a "significant negative factor."
In another major policy reversal, the administration slashed the refugee admissions cap for fiscal year 2026 to 7,500 from 125,000. The presidential determination outlining the new cap indicated a preference for admitting groups like White South Afrikaners and made no specific mention of Afghan refugees, signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. humanitarian priorities.
