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Afghan Refugee Family’s Journey in Bowling Green, Kentucky
A mother from Afghanistan walks with her children towards the school bus in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on April 30, 2025.
Wazir Khan Zadran and his family reached Kentucky nearly four years ago, coinciding with the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan. He now faces uncertainty about his children’s future, particularly for his daughters, should they be sent back to their homeland.
The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans starting in July, increasing the threat of deportation to a country under Taliban rule, where conditions can be dire particularly for women and girls.
Zadran expressed his hope for his children’s future in the U.S., stating, “Here, their future is bright; they can go to school and pursue their dreams. But if we return to Afghanistan, especially for girls, there are no opportunities. They can’t attend school or university; their lives would be severely limited. I urge those in power to support the Afghan refugees.”
Zadran was actively involved in fighting against the Haqqani network, a significant faction of the Taliban, two decades ago. In 2021, U.S. forces evacuated him and his family via helicopter to Kabul airport for their journey to America.
His eldest daughter, Zuleikha, is preparing for college next year, yet the uncertainty of their asylum status weighs heavily on her future. Their asylum application is still pending, allowing them to remain in the U.S. until a verdict is reached.
Temporary Protected Status is designed for individuals already in the U.S. who cannot return home due to armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances. The Trump administration’s move could impact around 14,600 Afghans, as well as many others from Venezuela and various nations.
“I remind my daughters how fortunate they are to be here, to go to school, and look forward to college,” Zadran noted. “In Afghanistan, however, their rights would be stripped away. Their prospects would be bleak.”
Since the Taliban takeover, girls over 12 have been barred from attending school, and women face restrictions on attending universities and traveling alone without a male guardian. The Taliban claims its policies are designed to align with its interpretation of Islamic law.
Zuleikha has successfully graduated from high school and is heading to college with a scholarship, despite feeling anxious about her legal status. “I’ve been concerned because I’ve heard people say that those without documents might be deported,” she said. "I fear that could darken my future, yet I am proud of what I’ve accomplished and remain hopeful for what lies ahead."
According to the Trump administration, Afghans in the U.S. can still seek asylum. “While TPS has ended, any Afghan fearing persecution can still apply for asylum,” stated Tricia McLaughlin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security.
Sharply Concerned
More than 70,000 Afghans arrived in the U.S. during President Biden’s "Operation Allies Welcome" after the Taliban takeover in 2021, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Over 300 Afghan families have settled in Bowling Green, a city known for its agricultural and manufacturing sectors that has welcomed a diverse range of refugee communities over the years.
Unlike many immigrant groups, Afghan families in Bowling Green have firmly planted their roots in the community, focusing on their dreams in the U.S. One family, the Habibis, bought a home, with Wahida Habibi fluent in English and working alongside her husband in a bakery. They also recently welcomed a baby boy.
Zadran has begun working at a car dealership with plans to open his own business. His main concern is the slow progress towards securing a legal status, which he initially expected to receive within a year. “I’ve been asking myself, what’s taking so long?” he shared.
Shawn VanDiver, founder of #AfghanEvac—a coalition of veterans and advocacy groups for Afghan refugees—stated that Republicans need to resist the administration’s stance so that Afghans don’t face forced repatriation to a perilous situation. “The dynamics have not changed; the risks remain the same,” he emphasized. “The only shift is who is sitting in power.”
Those aiding Afghan refugees report a deep sense of anxiety within the community. “The Afghan immigrants who settled here a couple of years ago are genuinely worried about the current immigration debates,” said Albert Mbanfu, executive director of the International Center of Kentucky.
Another Afghan in the U.S., Mohamed Azizi, expressed his stress over the situation back home. “The state of my country is dire, and the thought of returning to start over is frightening,” he shared.
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