Afghan evacuees stranded in foreign camps amid delayed US resettlement

Thousands of Afghan citizens evacuated by the United States during its 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan remain stranded in foreign countries, according to newly released documents. Many evacuees, some in conditions likened to detention, face prolonged uncertainty about their resettlement prospects.

Advocacy groups, including the Abolitionist Law Center and Muslim Advocates, revealed records detailing family separations, inadequate living conditions, and deteriorating mental health at facilities in at least 36 countries. These include sites in the UAE, Qatar, Kosovo, and Germany, where Afghans await processing for US visas or other immigration pathways.

As of April 2023, records indicated that 2,834 evacuees were in Qatar, 1,256 in the UAE, and 259 in Kosovo. Some evacuees have endured over 15 months in tightly controlled facilities, such as “Emirates Humanitarian City” in Abu Dhabi, where reports describe 24-hour surveillance, limited mobility, and restricted access to legal counsel. Similar issues have been documented at sites in Kosovo and Qatar, with reported hunger strikes and suicides.

The US State Department stated its ongoing commitment to resettling eligible Afghans, noting that over 190,000 evacuees have been relocated to the US since August 2021. However, the process remains slow, with only a fraction of humanitarian parole applications approved. Officials are currently processing over 20,000 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applications, but nearly 40% have been rejected.

The documents also reveal US involvement in establishing and maintaining these facilities. Agreements with host countries like Qatar, Oman, and Germany promised short-term stays and support for evacuees’ needs. However, some agreements were extended, with facilities in Qatar operating into late 2023. Advocates criticize the delays, citing unfulfilled promises to prioritize Afghans who supported US operations during the war.

Many evacuees face such despair that they attempt dangerous migrations through Latin America or return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan despite the risks. Advocates and veterans urge the US to expedite resettlement efforts, increase resources, and honor commitments to Afghan allies who were promised protection.