Afghans who risked their lives to help U.S. troops may soon be sent back to the country they fled. According to sealed court documents obtained by The Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing charter flights that would take detained Afghans from Alexandria, Louisiana, to Pakistan, then onward to Afghanistan. Human Rights First says it has confirmed one of these flights is scheduled for Tuesday.

Many Afghans now in the United States escaped after the Taliban took power in 2021. Some worked as interpreters, guides and support staff for the U.S. military and aid groups. Advocates warn that sending them back could expose them to retaliation from the Taliban.

Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran who leads the group #AfghanEvac, called the plan “absolutely unconscionable,” according to the AP. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut wrote on X, “We made a promise to our Afghan allies.” Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire said the people at risk include women and children.

It is still unclear whether any of the people set for these flights have court orders protecting them from removal. That uncertainty is exactly why no one should be put on a plane before their case gets a full review.

DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have the power to halt these flights now. Pausing removals to Afghanistan would give every person a fair chance to show the danger they face, and it would keep faith with the people who stood beside American service members.

Sign the petition to ground these flights before Afghan allies are handed back to the Taliban.