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Bush Institute criticizes Trump administration’s Afghan immigration freeze
The statement drew sharp responses from figures aligned with Trump.
The George W. Bush Institute has pushed back against the Trump administration’s decision to pause and review immigration applications from Afghanistan and 18 other countries, arguing that entire populations should not be penalized for the alleged crimes of one individual.
The policy review followed the November shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., allegedly carried out by an Afghan national who had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan and was granted asylum in the United States earlier this year.
In a statement posted on social media on Friday, the George W. Bush Presidential Center said the alleged actions of one man had “derailed the lawful U.S. immigration applications of people from 18 countries so far, including Afghanistan.” The Center added that Afghans are facing growing uncertainty both inside Afghanistan and in the United States, urging Americans to consider “why we can’t turn our back on Afghans and other immigrants due to one man’s crime.”
The Bush Institute argued that elected officials should focus on examining whether the attack could have been prevented, rather than imposing sweeping measures on Afghans who are lawfully living in or seeking entry to the U.S. It emphasized that many Afghans had “risked their lives over the last two decades” by working alongside the United States in pursuit of stability and prosperity, and said they “shouldn’t bear the burden of one man’s heinous crimes.”
The statement drew sharp responses from figures aligned with Trump. Mike Davis, a prominent Trump loyalist and legal adviser in the administration, criticized the Bush Institute’s intervention by citing past remarks from former President George W. Bush about avoiding public criticism of sitting presidents. Davis suggested the former president and his affiliated institutions should refrain from weighing in on current policy debates unless directly asked.
Davis, who previously worked in the Office of Political Affairs during the Bush administration and later assisted Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch in securing a position at the Department of Justice, framed his response as a defense of presidential discretion.
Trump’s White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Homeland Security Adviser Stephen Miller responded more bluntly. In a separate post, Miller accused the Bush Institute of advocating “unfettered migration from the most dangerous nations on planet earth,” and suggested the Institute was minimizing security risks posed by some migrants.
The exchange highlights deep divisions within the Republican Party over immigration policy, particularly concerning Afghanistan, as the Trump administration continues its review of asylum and immigration applications from countries deemed high risk.
Noor Ahmad Islamjar, the governor of Herat, has urged the United Nations to give priority to domestic Afghan products when procuring food and essential goods.
According to a statement from the Herat governor’s office, Islamjar met with Indrika Ratwatte, the UN humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan, and Arafat Jamal, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Afghanistan.
During the meeting, the governor praised the UN’s cooperation and described the support provided during the first wave of returning migrants as a significant success. He emphasized that the local administration is fully prepared to address the needs of any potential new wave of migrants.
Islamjar also stressed the importance of international support in expanding foreign markets for Afghan agricultural and industrial products, and called for easing banking restrictions, facilitating visa issuance, and improving online services for the private sector and local traders.
In response, Indrika Ratwatte welcomed the governor’s proposals and assured that the UN would strive to source necessary goods from Afghan domestic products in the future, while continuing its cooperation with the local administration across various sectors.
Hamdullah Fetrat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, reported on Thursday that four civilians were killed overnight in Khost province during artillery and mortar shelling by the Pakistani military.
The attacks occurred around 4:00 a.m. in Alishir-Trezi district.
The victims were members of a nomadic family, including a man, a woman, and two children. Three additional children were injured in the strikes.
The Pakistani military also carried out attacks in Kunar province last night. While no casualties were reported there, several homes and private properties were damaged.
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China urges de-escalation in Iran crisis and Afghanistan–Pakistan tensions
Wang noted that China’s Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs is currently shuttling between the two countries to help promote dialogue and reconciliation.
China has called for restraint and dialogue amid rising regional tensions, saying diplomatic efforts are needed to prevent further escalation in both the Iran crisis and the border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Wang Yi, the Foreign Minister of China, held a phone conversation with Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, to discuss recent developments.
During the call, Wang said the key to preventing further escalation in Iran lies in halting military operations by the United States and Israel. He said China does not condone attacks on Gulf states and strongly condemns strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The discussion also addressed the recent clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Wang noted that China’s Special Envoy for Afghan Affairs is currently shuttling between the two countries to help promote dialogue and reconciliation.
He emphasized that the immediate priority is to prevent further escalation and ensure a swift return to negotiations between the two sides.
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