A federal judge refused to dismiss the case against an Afghan woman who is the first person facing deportation under the Trump administration's reactivation of a Washington-based court that had been inactive for years. The hearing marks the court's first public session since being brought back into operation.
The federal government has reportedly begun interviewing hundreds of Afghan nationals in the U.S., raising fears among refugees and activists that sensitive information could be used for deportations. Simultaneously, a bipartisan group of House lawmakers has introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status for eligible Afghans who supported U.S. efforts.
A Taliban delegation met with European Union officials in Brussels for closed-door technical discussions focused on the return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan, marking the first such meeting despite no EU country recognizing the Taliban government. The talks have drawn fierce criticism from rights groups and MEPs who warn against normalizing a regime that has banned girls' education beyond sixth grade.
The Taliban has issued a directive banning smartphones for all government officials and civil servants in Afghanistan, with violators facing confiscation, device destruction, and potential imprisonment. The order, attributed to Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, has prompted government employees to switch off their devices, while analysts warn it could precede broader restrictions on the general population.
