Afghans Evacuated by US Remain in Limbo at Foreign Camps, Documents Reveal
Thousands of Afghans displaced by the US withdrawal face uncertain futures in facilities across the globe.
Afghan citizens who fled Afghanistan with American assistance following the US's turbulent withdrawal remain stranded in foreign countries, according to documents shared with The Guardian.
Many of these evacuees are being held in conditions resembling detention centers without clear prospects for resettlement.
US officials have not disclosed the exact number of Afghans in such facilities, which were established following the Taliban's swift takeover in August 2021. Advocates suggest "hundreds" of evacuees are currently housed in temporary locations within as many as 36 countries.
A collection of government records released by the Center for Constitutional Rights, Abolitionist Law Center, and Muslim Advocates outlines concerning conditions at these sites, including mental health deterioration, inadequate facilities, and the constant threat of forced repatriation.
Attorney Sadaf Doost from the Abolitionist Law Center explained that the records sought to shed light on the living conditions at a handful of known sites.
However, the scope revealed that Afghans awaiting US immigration processing are "detained, held, or otherwise forced to remain in limbo" in at least 36 countries.
Records indicate that as of April 2023, notable numbers of Afghans with pending US applications are located in Qatar (2,834), the United Arab Emirates (1,256), and Kosovo (259) among others.
The US Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have not commented on these findings.
In response, a State Department spokesperson affirmed commitments to resettle eligible Afghans, noting the issuance of over 33,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans in 2024.
The withdrawal initiated the chaotic exodus of over 1.6 million Afghans, with around 120,000 people evacuated by US-led efforts to locations worldwide.
Since then, more than 190,000 have resettled in the US, but many remain stuck in foreign countries on pending humanitarian or other grounds.
Infrastructures supporting these evacuees, informally referred to as "lily pad" or "platform" sites, vary.
Some are former US military bases or makeshift government-run housing facilities.
Human rights organizations have expressed alarm about the conditions, particularly at the UAE's Emirates Humanitarian City, Kosovo's "little Guantánamo," and sites in Qatar.
More than 17,000 Afghans entered the UAE site between 2021 and 2022, though fewer than 50 remain today.
US agreements with host countries include assurances for the safety and welfare of detained Afghans and have been extended beyond their originally intended short-term nature.
Despite these logistical provisions, advocates stress unfulfilled commitments to those who supported US missions.
Laila Ayub of Project ANAR emphasized the dire situation facing Afghans who seek a secure passage to the US. Many are taking perilous routes or returning to Afghanistan under duress.
There continues to be a push from veterans and officials to expand resources for Afghan resettlement, reflecting the growing need for an efficient "wartime allies" program to address the challenges of displaced Afghans post-withdrawal.
Many of these evacuees are being held in conditions resembling detention centers without clear prospects for resettlement.
US officials have not disclosed the exact number of Afghans in such facilities, which were established following the Taliban's swift takeover in August 2021. Advocates suggest "hundreds" of evacuees are currently housed in temporary locations within as many as 36 countries.
A collection of government records released by the Center for Constitutional Rights, Abolitionist Law Center, and Muslim Advocates outlines concerning conditions at these sites, including mental health deterioration, inadequate facilities, and the constant threat of forced repatriation.
Attorney Sadaf Doost from the Abolitionist Law Center explained that the records sought to shed light on the living conditions at a handful of known sites.
However, the scope revealed that Afghans awaiting US immigration processing are "detained, held, or otherwise forced to remain in limbo" in at least 36 countries.
Records indicate that as of April 2023, notable numbers of Afghans with pending US applications are located in Qatar (2,834), the United Arab Emirates (1,256), and Kosovo (259) among others.
The US Departments of Defense and Homeland Security have not commented on these findings.
In response, a State Department spokesperson affirmed commitments to resettle eligible Afghans, noting the issuance of over 33,000 special immigrant visas for Afghans in 2024.
The withdrawal initiated the chaotic exodus of over 1.6 million Afghans, with around 120,000 people evacuated by US-led efforts to locations worldwide.
Since then, more than 190,000 have resettled in the US, but many remain stuck in foreign countries on pending humanitarian or other grounds.
Infrastructures supporting these evacuees, informally referred to as "lily pad" or "platform" sites, vary.
Some are former US military bases or makeshift government-run housing facilities.
Human rights organizations have expressed alarm about the conditions, particularly at the UAE's Emirates Humanitarian City, Kosovo's "little Guantánamo," and sites in Qatar.
More than 17,000 Afghans entered the UAE site between 2021 and 2022, though fewer than 50 remain today.
US agreements with host countries include assurances for the safety and welfare of detained Afghans and have been extended beyond their originally intended short-term nature.
Despite these logistical provisions, advocates stress unfulfilled commitments to those who supported US missions.
Laila Ayub of Project ANAR emphasized the dire situation facing Afghans who seek a secure passage to the US. Many are taking perilous routes or returning to Afghanistan under duress.
There continues to be a push from veterans and officials to expand resources for Afghan resettlement, reflecting the growing need for an efficient "wartime allies" program to address the challenges of displaced Afghans post-withdrawal.
