Inside a large, nondescript building that once served as a commercial guesthouse for international visitors in Kabul, a different story unfolds. Within its walls, numerous rooms have transformed into temporary homes for families and individuals. These residents, evacuated from various regions of Afghanistan, live under strict constraints—they are not permitted to go outside or to disclose their exact location to anyone. This location serves as a crucial waiting area where Afghan evacuees patiently await their flights to a third country, a pivotal step before embarking on their journey to final relocation in the United States.
Now nearly two years since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the U.S. government has continued its efforts to evacuate Afghans under special immigration and refugee admission programs. Notably, this mission persists despite the lack of a consular or diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, raising questions about how these operations function under such challenging conditions. Thus far, the Taliban authorities have not impeded this evacuation process, even amid widespread reports of the group targeting Afghans believed to have collaborated with the previous U.S.-backed government. This tacit allowance suggests a delicate balance of interests where the Taliban appears to tolerate the evacuation program.
Through coordinated chartered flights, the U.S. has successfully relocated thousands, encompassing a range of individuals from U.S. citizens to lawful permanent residents, unaccompanied minors, and Afghan allies eligible for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. These special visas cater specifically to individuals who worked alongside U.S. entities in Afghanistan before the Taliban seized power. Remarkably, over the last 20 months, more than 90,000 Afghans have been resettled across the United States. Recent statistics reveal that between October 2021 and September 2022, over 11,000 SIVs were issued to Afghans, highlighting a continuing commitment to those who aided U.S. operations.
This year, President Joe Biden has underscored this commitment with a request for Congress to approve an additional 20,000 SIVs for Afghans who significantly contributed to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. In recent months, from October 2022 to February 2023, at least 2,980 Afghans entered the U.S. through refugee admission programs. Furthermore, the Biden administration has set an ambitious target to admit 125,000 refugees globally this year, though the State Department has not clarified how many of those slots will be allocated for Afghan refugees.
Before arriving in the United States, Afghan immigrants and refugees must undergo thorough security and immigration screenings at designated processing facilities located in third countries. The primary processing site is Camp As Sayliyah in Doha, Qatar. Additionally, the U.S. is facilitating resettlements for Afghans in both Albania and Kosovo, as confirmed by a State Department spokesperson. The initial evacuation effort in August 2021 was marked by chaos, with U.S. military aircraft successfully airlifting approximately 124,000 individuals out of Afghanistan within a short span of two weeks.
Many Afghans also found their way onto private flights headed to the United Arab Emirates, where they remain in a facility known as Emirates Humanitarian City. There, they await their chance for resettlement to the U.S., Canada, or various European nations. The U.S. government continues its case processing in this facility, even as evacuees express frustration and discontent over the uncertain trajectory of their lives.
Among those waiting for a flight is a former U.S. contractor, who prefers to remain anonymous due to security concerns. He shared that his family of five is slated to be transferred to Albania shortly, though he remains in the dark about how long the stay will be. “I hope it won’t be long,” he said, capturing the uncertainty that defines the lives of countless evacuees.
Alongside SIVs and refugee admissions, the U.S. has extended temporary humanitarian parole to thousands of Afghans. Initiated in March 2022, this 18-month program is nearing its expiration this September. Concurrently, a proposed bill known as the Afghan Adjustment Act has been delayed in Congress, and its approval is vital for creating a legal pathway to enable Afghan parolees to secure permanent residency. Without this act, Afghans are left with dwindling options, primarily relying on the expansive and notoriously backlogged U.S. asylum system, which can take years to navigate effectively.
Brian Zumhagen, a spokesperson for HIAS—an organization dedicated to refugee support—emphasized the urgency of this issue. “Without the Afghan Adjustment Act, individuals will either need to endure the long process of applying for permanent residence through the SIV program or grapple with the complexities of seeking asylum,” he explained. This situation reveals the profound challenges that Afghans face as they seek to rebuild their lives in a new country.
As they navigate this complex landscape, the realities of legal uncertainty intertwine with pressing social and economic challenges. Many Afghans struggle to find affordable housing and to navigate the U.S. public benefits systems, including health insurance and food assistance. In a recent response to concerned lawmakers, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to supporting Afghans who have assisted U.S. operations. “The efficient processing and ultimate resettlement of these individuals continues apace and remains among our highest priorities,” the State Department reiterated, signaling ongoing efforts to keep promises made to those who stood by the United States in Afghanistan.
