TIRANA, Feb 9: Having assisted the US military by coordinating airstrikes against Taliban and Islamic State militants, and serving as drivers and translators during America’s prolonged engagement in Afghanistan, many were on the brink of starting new lives in the United States.
However, the situation took a turn when President Donald Trump signed executive orders that effectively dismantled programs designed to aid Afghans in reaching safety in America. Those who had passed through extensive background checks now find themselves in a precarious limbo.
“I was shocked. I am still in shock because I have already waited four years for this process, to get out of this hell and to find peace and a new beginning,” Roshangar, one of the affected Afghans, shared.
He requested that The Associated Press use only his first name due to fears of retaliation from the Taliban.
Currently, Roshangar, along with his wife and son, lives in hiding in Afghanistan, fearing reprisal or execution from the Taliban for more than a decade of collaboration with US forces.
As a legal adviser to the Afghan Air Force, Roshangar assisted US officials in reviewing and approving airstrike packages targeting the Taliban and ISIS from 2007 until Kabul’s fall in 2021.
“Mr. Trump’s unexpected move has left us in grave danger under the Taliban regime,” he lamented.
His family’s plight is just one example of the consequences stemming from these executive orders, many of which were enacted without extensive consultation with stakeholders in the field.
“It’s a serious blemish on our national honor that we’ve abandoned individuals who have been waiting patiently for relocation, as well as those recently arrived in the US,” remarked Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and leader of #AfghanEvac, a coalition advocating for Afghan resettlement. “This issue can be resolved, and addressing it is crucial for our national security.”
During the US evacuation from Kabul in August 2021, military planes successfully airlifted thousands of Afghans from the main airport.
Nevertheless, many Afghans were left behind. Since then, various measures have been developed to assist Afghans in relocating to the US, tailored to their roles in supporting the US-led mission in Afghanistan, but these pathways have currently been halted.
This represents the latest in a series of obstacles faced by American allies who, despite receiving bipartisan support from lawmakers and veteran groups, continue to encounter challenges in finding safety and rebuilding their lives following the abrupt US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Many now find themselves stranded in Albania, Pakistan, and Qatar, awaiting transfer to the US. Others remain hidden from the Taliban in Afghanistan.
For those fortunate enough to reach the US, the process is rigorous, often requiring a referral from someone with whom they served, background checks, medical screenings, and interviews with US officials.
Roshangar had his interview last August and was scheduled to complete the final step — a medical examination — this month when Trump announced the suspension of the refugee resettlement program.
One American colleague, Lt. Col. Steve Loertscher, referred him to the refugee program in October 2021.
Loertscher views Roshangar as a victim of the Biden administration’s failure to prioritize at-risk applicants facing potential Taliban retribution.
However, he believes Roshangar may still qualify for exemption under the executive order, which allows the State Department to assess individual cases on a “case-by-case” basis.
“I’m hopeful that he’ll eventually be able to secure refugee status and come to the United States,” Loertscher expressed.
Many veterans who served in Afghanistan have dedicated years to helping their Afghan partners find refuge in the US. While they anticipated setbacks, they hoped for special consideration for those individuals who had risked their lives.
Hashmatullah Alam had a flight booked for himself, his wife, and six children to the US when Trump’s order took effect, just one day after he assumed office. The family arrived in Albania in December to process their special immigrant visas ahead of their flight.
He is part of at least 15,000 Afghans who had been cleared for travel before the pause went into effect, according to AfghanEvac.
Alam remains optimistic that the pause will soon be lifted, stating to the AP that he risked his family’s safety to aid the US mission in Afghanistan, landing him on the Taliban’s watchlist. After three years, he had hoped to begin anew in the US, where his children could receive an education.
“We also support our families back home; our mothers, fathers, and siblings are still in Afghanistan,” Alam added.
In Pakistan, Khalid, who collaborated with the US Air Force, was waiting anxiously for confirmation of his flight to America when his students informed him of Trump’s order.
“My students cried when they heard Trump had suspended the refugee program for us,” he recounted.
Having arrived in Islamabad in March 2023, Khalid completed security clearances, medical tests, and interviews over the following year. However, as he awaited approval to travel, he depleted his funds and began teaching children from other Afghan families who had also come to Pakistan through the visa program.
Reluctant to discuss the specifics of his contributions to the US mission, Khalid emphasized that returning to Afghanistan would mean certain death at the hands of the Taliban.
“We appeal to President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision; we have lost everything in Afghanistan, and we are awaiting a bright future in America,” he implored. “He must honor the promise to evacuate us and ensure our safe passage to the United States.” (AP)
