Trump Administration Considers Large-Scale Deportations of Afghans After 2021 Evacuation Amid Security Concerns

Following a recent attack on U.S. National Guard members by an Afghan national, senior defense officials have indicated that the Trump administration is considering large-scale deportations of Afghans brought to the United States during the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan.

Stuart Scheller, a senior adviser at the Department of Defense, told U.S. media that roughly 200,000 Afghans entered the country without full vetting during the Biden administration, far exceeding the publicly acknowledged figure of 76,000 admitted after the withdrawal. Scheller described the rushed evacuation and screening failures as creating “serious national security vulnerabilities,” warning that some individuals may have had ties to militant groups. “These flawed decisions opened the door for Afghan fighters to enter the United States,” he said.

The Trump administration’s Afghan Review Panel is expected to release its findings soon. The report is likely to identify gaps in the vetting process and could lead to a reassessment of thousands of Afghan cases, potentially resulting in deportations. If removals are approved, Scheller stated that the Department of Defense, State Department, and Department of Homeland Security would coordinate the operation, leveraging detailed records maintained by the State Department on evacuees.

White House officials are reportedly reviewing options amid rising political pressure following the National Guard attack. While no final decision has been made, sources indicate that scrutiny of Afghan parolees and evacuees could accelerate in the coming weeks. Security agencies have emphasized that the incident has intensified calls for a comprehensive review of the Afghan resettlement program, highlighting ongoing concerns about national security and the adequacy of prior screening measures.