Democrats Urge Resumption of Afghan Refugee Resettlement Program

A coalition of prominent Democratic figures in Congress has called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reinstate the Afghan refugee resettlement program and continue essential services for Afghan refugees already residing in the U.S., Khaama Press reported.

This request follows President Donald Trump’s executive order on his first day in office, which suspended the resettlement program and foreign aid, leaving thousands of Afghan collaborators stranded in countries like Pakistan and Albania.

The Democratic lawmakers, part of the Judiciary Committees in both the House and Senate, emphasized that the services provided to Afghan refugees are crucial for their well-being, distinguishing them from foreign aid. They highlighted that approximately 32,000 Afghan refugees, scheduled for resettlement by 2025, still qualify for government support, which is jeopardized by the current suspension.

Concerns were raised that halting support could violate legal commitments made by the State Department with resettlement organizations, potentially leading to increased risks of homelessness and food insecurity among Afghan refugees. The Trump administration had previously cited security concerns as justification for the suspension, referencing an incident involving Nasir Ahmad Tawidi, arrested for allegedly plotting a terrorist conspiracy, which raised questions about the vetting process for Afghan refugees.