The Trump administration is in discussions to doubtlessly ship as much as 1,100 Afghans who helped US forces in the course of the warfare in Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a non-profit confirmed on Tuesday.
The resettlement talks, first reported by the New York Instances, come after Donald Trump’s determination to cease an initiative that allowed Afghans who assisted US warfare efforts to use to resettle within the US.
This group of greater than 1,000 Afghans, who’ve been waylaid in Qatar for a yr, reportedly consists of interpreters in addition to family members of US navy members. The group additionally consists of greater than 400 youngsters.
In keeping with the Instances, the US evacuated these Afghans to Qatar for his or her safety as a result of they supported US navy efforts of their house nation, which, for the reason that US navy withdrawal, is as soon as once more underneath Taliban management.
The DRC, in the meantime, is affected by an infinite displacement disaster following a long time of battle and instability. In keeping with the UN Refugee Company, 8.2 million folks had been displaced as of September 2025, with this quantity anticipated to succeed in 9 million by yr’s finish.
Shawn VanDiver, president of the non-profit AfghanEvac, instructed the Guardian that he had heard about these discussions from folks at, and round, the US state division.
VanDiver mentioned that 900 of the 1,100 Afghans in Qatar had been eligible for resettlement within the US. For the 200 that aren’t eligible, the US may speak to international locations apart from the DRC – which is reeling from violence – about accepting them.
“The others ought to simply come right here,” VanDiver mentioned. “That is a straightforward resolve: ‘Hey, welcome to America.’” VanDiver mentioned between 100 to 150 of those Afghans are members of the family of active-duty service members, whereas greater than 700 are girls and youngsters.
“It’s insane – this might all be mounted simply by a coverage change,” VanDiver mentioned, saying that the Division of Homeland Safety may enable in Afghans who’ve already certified for this system. “They’ll come right here – there’s no legislation that’s stopping them.”
It’s also potential that the DRC talks won’t materialize into precise resettlement, leaving this group of Afghans in nonetheless extra limbo. Given their cooperation with US forces, returning to Afghanistan would most likely lead to loss of life, VanDiver mentioned.
Requested for remark, a state division spokesperson mentioned they’re persevering with to determine choices for voluntary resettlement of the Afghans at the moment residing at Camp As-Sayliyah (CAS) in Qatar and claimed transferring this group “to a 3rd nation is a optimistic decision” for his or her security and that of Individuals. The spokesperson added “the Afghan nationals at CAS don’t at the moment have a viable pathway to america”.
The state division says it’s in routine, direct communication with camp residents on resettlement initiatives however due to the sensitivity, they won’t reveal particulars surrounding the negotiations.
