Imagine waiting for years to start a new life in safety, only to have the door slammed shut at the last moment. That’s the reality for thousands of Afghans who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and were approved to resettle in the United States. A recent executive order signed by President Trump has put their plans on hold, leaving them stranded and uncertain about their future.

Take Nasir, for example. A former legal adviser to the Afghan Air Force, he spent years helping approve airstrikes against the Taliban. After the Taliban took over in 2021, he went into hiding, hoping to escape to the U.S. He had already passed background checks and was just one medical exam away from completing the process. But now, like many others, his hopes have been dashed.

The order, titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program,” suspends a decades-old initiative that has helped countless refugees find safety in the U.S. President Trump argued that continuing the program would strain communities unprepared to handle an influx of newcomers. However, critics say the move ignores the sacrifices made by Afghans who risked their lives to support American efforts.

Nasir, who asked not to use his full name, expressed his frustration in a text message. “This decision not only disregards the interests of Afghans but also fails to consider the interests of the United States,” he wrote. “How can the world and America’s allies rely on the U.S. government?”

The order, which takes effect immediately, allows exceptions only if officials determine that admitting a refugee is “in the national interest” and poses no security threat. For now, tens of thousands of Afghans remain in limbo, their dreams of safety and stability hanging in the balance.

This decision has sparked widespread concern, raising questions about America’s commitment to its allies and the future of refugee resettlement programs. For many, the wait continues—but with no clear end in sight.