AfghanEvac Urges US Congress to Prioritize Refugees in Budget Hearings

AfghanEvac urged Congress to place this issue at the top of its agenda during sessions attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

AfghanEvac, in an open letter to the US Congress, has called for the situation of Afghan refugees to be prioritized during this week’s budget hearings.

The letter states that over 212,000 individuals in Afghanistan and tens of thousands more in 75 countries, including Pakistan, are living in uncertain conditions.

AfghanEvac urged Congress to place this issue at the top of its agenda during sessions attended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“This week’s hearings with Secretary of State Rubio present a critical moment for Congress to reaffirm its commitment to the tens of thousands of Afghan allies still awaiting resettlement and protection. With more than 212,000 individuals trapped in the pipeline inside Afghanistan and tens of thousands more stranded across 75 countries, the stakes for moral leadership, national security, and American credibility could not be higher,” the letter reads.

Mohammad Muslim Jamal, a migrant rights activist, said: “I believe they may relocate a limited number of individuals by October for their own interests. However, based on their internal laws and priorities, they might give refugees more time to remain in the US.”

Meanwhile, a number of Afghan immigration case holders currently in Pakistan are urging the US to honor its commitments and restart their resettlement process.

An applicant for US immigration said: “We hope that the upcoming US congressional hearings will finally address the concerns and long wait we’ve endured since the program was suspended, and that our cases will be processed soon so we can move forward.”

Mohammad Khan Mohammadzai, another migrant rights activist, said: “The situation of refugees in this country must be addressed in accordance with international and US domestic laws, so the hardships of migrants are reduced.”

This comes as Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 20 to suspend the US refugee program. Now, 120 days later, the future of Afghan refugees remains uncertain.

AfghanEvac Urges US Congress to Prioritize Refugees in Budget Hearings
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Pentagon to Release Findings on US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Fox News, stated that those responsible for the withdrawal must be held accountable.

Amid ongoing criticism from current US officials over the handling of the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, the US Department of Defense announced that findings from a special investigation team on the matter will be released soon.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Fox News, stated that those responsible for the withdrawal must be held accountable. He mentioned that the investigation may continue until 2026, but the ultimate goal is to ensure accountability and evaluate the consequences of the decisions made.

Pete Hegseth said: “We’re all over it in our office. In fact, we’ll have an announcement, I believe, tomorrow, if not later today, tomorrow or Wednesday, on the developments of our task force. We’re moving, we’re finding, we’re investigating.

It’s going to take a little bit of time because there’s a lot of things that need to be uncovered, classified aspects, interviews that need to be conducted. ”

Several political analysts said that investigating the US withdrawal from Afghanistan holds historical, political, and legal significance not only for the United States but also for the Afghan people.

They stress that this investigation could help bring transparency to future global decision-making on Afghanistan.

Jabar Akbari, a political affairs analyst, said: “The investigation must be realistic and consider the situation of the Afghan people. This is commendable and shows that countries with a diplomatic and political presence in Afghanistan act in the people’s best interest. Otherwise, if a country is only driven by self-interest and abandons the Afghan people when those interests are at risk, it will not serve the Afghan people well.”

Najib-ur-Rahman Shamal, another political analyst, said: “The major lesson from this historic mistake is that the US should avoid military invasions in Afghanistan. If it truly wishes to support the Afghan people and society, it should resume humanitarian aid, especially in sectors like agriculture, industry, and healthcare, where nearly half of Afghanistan’s clinics and hospitals are currently non-functional.”

The US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 was marked by chaos at Kabul airport, the collapse of the previous government, and the takeover by the Islamic Emirate, a process that sparked widespread backlash and intense criticism both inside and outside the United States.

Pentagon to Release Findings on US Withdrawal from Afghanistan
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In Virginia, a military stronghold becomes a haven for Afghan refugees

By TIFFANY STANLEY

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Kat Renfroe was at Mass when she saw a volunteer opportunity in the bulletin. Her Catholic parish was looking for tutors for Afghan youth, newly arrived in the United States.

There was a personal connection for Renfroe. Her husband, now retired from the Marine Corps, had deployed to Afghanistan four times. “He just never talked about any other region the way he did about the people there,” she said.

She signed up to volunteer. “It changed my life,” she said.

That was seven years ago. She and her husband are still close to the young man she tutored, along with his family. And Renfroe has made a career of working with refugees. She now supervises the Fredericksburg migration and refugee services office, part of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington.

That faith-based work is now in peril. As part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, his administration banned most incoming refugees in January and froze federal funds for the programs. Across the country, local resettlement agencies like hers have been forced to lay off staff or close their doors. Refugees and other legal migrants have been left in limbo, including Afghans who supported the U.S. in their native country.

Situated south of Washington, D.C., and wedged among military bases, Fredericksburg and its surrounding counties are home to tens of thousands of veterans and active-duty personnel.

Virginia has resettled more Afghan refugees per capita than any other state. The Fredericksburg area now has halal markets, Afghan restaurants and school outreach programs for families who speak Dari and Pashto.

Many of these U.S.-based Afghans are still waiting for family members to join them — hopes that appear on indefinite hold. Families fear a new travel ban will emerge with Afghanistan on the list. A subset of Afghans already in the U.S. may soon face deportation as the Trump administration ends their temporary protected status.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced in April that it was ending its decades-old partnership with the federal government to resettle refugees. The move came after the Trump administration halted the program’s federal funding, which the bishops’ conference channels to local Catholic Charities.

The Fredericksburg Catholic Charities office has continued aiding current clients and operating with minimal layoffs thanks to its diocese’s support and state funds. But it’s unclear what the local agency’s future will be without federal funding or arriving refugees.

“I’ll just keep praying,” Renfroe said. “It’s all I can do from my end.”

Religious groups have long been at the heart of U.S. refugee resettlement work. Until the recent policy changes, seven out of the 10 national organizations that partnered with the U.S. government to resettle refugees were faith-based. They were aided by hundreds of local affiliates and religious congregations.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington has been working with refugees for 50 years, starting with Vietnamese people after the fall of Saigon. For the last 10 years, most of its clients have been Afghans, with an influx arriving in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power.

Area faith groups like Renfroe’s large church — St. Mary’s in Fredericksburg — have been key to helping Afghan newcomers get on their feet. Volunteers from local congregations furnish homes, provide meals and drive families to appointments.

“As a church, we care deeply. As Christians, we care deeply,” said Joi Rogers, who led the Afghan ministry at her Southern Baptist church. “As military, we also just have an obligation to them as people that committed to helping the U.S. in our mission over there.”

With Southern Baptist relief funds, Pillar Church hired Joi Rogers to work part time as a volunteer coordinator in the base’s makeshift refugee camp in 2021. She helped organize programming, including children’s activities. Her position was under the auspices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which the government contracted to help run the camp.

For Pillar’s founding pastor, Colby Garman, the effort was an easy decision. “It was affecting so many of the lives of our families here who had served in Afghanistan.”

“We’ve been told to love God and love our neighbor,” Garman said. “I said to our people, this is an opportunity, a unique opportunity, for us to demonstrate love for our neighbor.”

Within five months, as the Afghans left the base for locations around the country, the support at the camp transitioned to the broader community. Pillar started hosting an English class. Church members visited locally resettled families and tried to keep track of their needs.

For one Pillar Church couple in nearby Stafford, Virginia, that meant opening their home to a teenager who had arrived alone in the U.S. after being separated from her family at the Kabul airport — a situation they heard about through the church.

Katlyn Williams and her husband Phil Williams, then an active-duty Marine, served as foster parents for Mahsa Zarabi, now 20, during her junior and senior years of high school. They introduced her to many American firsts: the beach, homecoming, learning to drive.

“The community was great,” Zarabi said. “They welcomed me very well.”

She attends college nearby; the Williamses visit her monthly. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan this spring, they broke fast with her and her family, now safely in Virginia.

“She has and will always be part of our family,” Katlyn Williams said.

Her friend Joi Rogers, while careful not to speak for Pillar, said watching the recent dismantling of the federal refugee program has “been very hard for me personally.”

Veterans and members of the military tend to vote Republican. Most Southern Baptists are among Trump’s staunch white evangelical supporters. For those reasons, Pillar pastor Garman knows it may be surprising to some that his church network has been steadfast in supporting refugees.

“I totally understand that is the case, but I think that is a bias of just not knowing who we are and what we do,” Garman said after a recent Sunday service.

Later, sitting in the church office with his wife, Jake Rogers said, “We recognize that there are really faithful Christians that could lie on either side of the issue of refugee policy.”

“Regardless of your view on what our national stance should be on this,” he said, “we as Christ followers should have a heart for these people that reflects God’s heart for these people.”

Unity through faith and refugee work

Later that week, nearly two dozen Afghan women gathered around a table at the Fredericksburg refugee office, while children played with toys in the corner. The class topic was self-care, led by an Afghan staff member. Along the back wall waited dishes of rice and chicken, part of a celebratory potluck to mark the end of Ramadan.

Sitting at the front was Suraya Qaderi, the last client to arrive at the resettlement agency before the U.S. government suspended new arrivals.

She was in Qatar waiting to be cleared for a flight to the United States when the Trump administration started canceling approved travel plans for refugees. “I was one of the lucky last few,” said Qaderi, who was allowed to proceed.

She arrived in Virginia on Jan. 24, the day the administration sent stop-work orders to resettlement agencies.

Qaderi worked for the election commission in Afghanistan, and she received a special immigrant visa for her close ties to the U.S. government. She was a child when her father disappeared under the previous Taliban regime.

The return of the Taliban government was like “the end of the world,” she said. As a woman, she lost many of her rights, including her ability to work and leave home unaccompanied.

She studied Islamic law during her university years. She believes the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam is wrong on the rights of women. “Islam is not only for them,” she said.

The resettlement office includes not only Catholic staffers, but many Muslim employees and clients. “We find so much commonality between our faiths,” Renfroe said.

Her Catholic faith guides her work, and it’s sustaining her through the uncertainty of what the funding and policy changes will mean for her organization, which remains committed to helping refugees.

“I’m happy to go back to being a volunteer again if that’s what it takes,” Renfroe said.

Regardless of government contracts, she wants local refugee families to know that “that we’re still here, that we care about them and that we want to make sure that they have what they need.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Stanley is a reporter and editor on The Associated Press’ Global Religion team. She is based in Washington, D.C.

 

In Virginia, a military stronghold becomes a haven for Afghan refugees
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Only 1 million of 3 million needy Afghans will receive aid this summer, says WFP

By Fidel Rahmati

Khaama Press

A woman during beneficiary verification at a distribution site in Salang District, Parwan Province, 50 kilometers north of Kabul, where 600 families received cash to help their families cover their food needs. Winter in Afghanistan is unforgiving. With no work and no food, families face the impossible choice to heat their homes or feed their children. This winter (2024/2025), one-third of Afghanistan’s population—nearly 15 million people—will need emergency food assistance to survive.

The WFP has warned that only 1 million of the 3 million needy Afghans will receive aid this summer.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced on Sunday May 28 that nearly 3 million people in Afghanistan will require food assistance this summer. However, due to a severe funding shortfall, the WFP can only provide aid to 1 million individuals to prevent catastrophic hunger. This limitation underscores the escalating food insecurity affecting a significant portion of the Afghan population.

Previously, the WFP had requested $451 million to support the most vulnerable families in Afghanistan over the next six months. Despite this urgent appeal, the organization has only received a fraction of the necessary funds. As a result, the WFP has been forced to reduce its assistance programs, leaving millions without essential support.

The funding crisis has been exacerbated by a reduction in U.S. aid to Afghanistan. The Trump administration’s decision to pause foreign assistance has significantly impacted humanitarian efforts, including food aid. This policy shift has drawn criticism from global aid organizations, which warn of dire consequences for the Afghan population.

In addition to funding challenges, the WFP faces operational difficulties due to restrictions imposed by the Taliban. These limitations hinder the organization’s ability to deliver aid effectively, particularly to women and children, who are among the most vulnerable groups.

The humanitarian situation is further compounded by environmental factors. Afghanistan’s vulnerability to climate change has led to natural disasters such as droughts and floods, which have destroyed homes and agricultural land, exacerbating food insecurity.

The current funding shortfall and operational challenges have placed millions of Afghans at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition. Without immediate international support, the situation is expected to deteriorate further, with children and women being the most affected.

It is imperative that the international community increases its financial contributions and works collaboratively with humanitarian organizations to address the pressing needs of the Afghan population. Failure to act promptly could result in a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale.

Only 1 million of 3 million needy Afghans will receive aid this summer, says WFP
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Pakistan halts Visa Extensions for Afghan Refugees amid Mass Deportations

Pakistan has suspended visa extensions for Afghan refugees, affecting thousands and raising concerns over forced deportations and human rights violations.

Pakistani media have reported that a major law enforcement body in Pakistan has suspended the visa extension process for all categories of Afghan refugees. This move comes amid an ongoing nationwide crackdown and mass deportations targeting Afghan migrants across the country.

Under the new directive, the security clearances required for visa renewal of Afghan refugees—including those who have lived in Pakistan for years—have been revoked. This decision directly affects the legal residency status of thousands of Afghans, including long-term residents.

Previously, Afghan migrants with specific documentation such as Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) were eligible for visa renewals. However, these extensions have now been completely suspended, leaving many in a state of legal uncertainty.

Security sources in Pakistan told local media that this measure is part of the broader policy to intensify the expulsion of undocumented migrants. Many individuals whose visas have not been renewed are now facing detention and forced deportation.

Since November 2023, Pakistan has launched a large-scale repatriation campaign against Afghan nationals, during which over 1.3 million people have reportedly been sent back to Afghanistan. This includes individuals who were residing in the country with valid identification.

Reports also indicate that even Afghans holding legal documents, such as ACCs, have been arrested and deported during police operations. This has raised alarm among refugee communities and human rights organizations.

The Afghanistan Refugee Council in Islamabad has warned that the suspension of visa renewals could lead to the deportation of hundreds of thousands more. Amnesty International and other human rights groups have condemned the policy, calling it a violation of international refugee and human rights laws.

In response, international observers are urging the Pakistani government to reconsider its position and resume visa processing for documented refugees. They stress that blanket deportations risk violating the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to places where they face serious threats.

Pakistan halts Visa Extensions for Afghan Refugees amid Mass Deportations
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Pensioners Protest Again: Years of Service, Still No Pay

Among them is 65-year-old Bori Qul, who dedicated more than thirty years of his life to serving in the country’s government institutions.

A number of pensioners have once again gathered in protest over the non-payment of their pensions.

These pensioners, who each spent over thirty to forty years serving in government institutions, gather weekly in front of the Pension General Directorate with distressed faces and anxious eyes, seeking a way to receive their retirement payments.

Among them is 65-year-old Bori Qul, who dedicated more than thirty years of his life to serving in the country’s government institutions.

He stated that he once worked in hopes of building a better future for the next generations, but now he himself is facing severe economic challenges.

Bori Qul, pensioner, added: “I have a son, who works as a mechanic. If he finds work, he brings in one or two hundred Afghanis and we have no other income. We are a family of six or seven people to feed. I used to buy bread with my pension. It’s been five years since I’ve received my pension; now we can’t even buy bread and are in debt for our house rent.”

Other pensioners have also gathered in front of the Pension General Directorate over the non-payment of their pensions, demanding immediate payment from the Islamic Emirate.

“We urge the Minister of Finance and the Head of the Pension Fund to urgently follow up on our cases. All these poor people are in debt. Most of the pensioners here walk on foot,” said Habibullah, a pensioner.

“Personally, I find four or five pieces of bread a day and bring them home. That’s how we survive each day,” said Abdul Hakim, another pensioner.

These pensioners have repeatedly referred to the Pension General Directorate, the Ministry of Finance, the court, and UNAMA demanding their pension payments, but the caretaker government has recently given no updates about when their pensions will be paid.

Pensioners Protest Again: Years of Service, Still No Pay
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Intl Museum Day Sees Renewed Calls to Preserve Nation’s Artifacts

On this day, the ministry emphasized the importance of preserving the country’s historical artifacts housed in museums across Afghanistan.

On May 18, International Museum Day, the Ministry of Information and Culture held a ceremony at the National Museum of Afghanistan to mark the occasion.

On this day, the ministry emphasized the importance of preserving the country’s historical artifacts housed in museums across Afghanistan.

Atiqullah Azizi, deputy minister for arts and culture, called on all national and international institutions to assist in the restoration and enrichment of the National Museum of Afghanistan.

He stated, “We are raising our voice globally to ensure that the cultural and historical heritage of Afghanistan preserved in this museum is protected through proper coordination and investment.”

Hayatullah Mohajer Farahi, deputy minister for publications, said: “Throughout history, Afghans have fought against foreign invaders — whether British, Russian, or the American-NATO coalition and their allies. Dedicated military museums are built to commemorate these struggles.”

Meanwhile, Seyed Rouhollah Hosseini, Cultural Advisor at the Iranian Embassy in Kabul who attended the ceremony, reaffirmed Tehran’s commitment to continued cultural cooperation with Kabul, particularly in the fields of museums and historical restoration.

He said, “Few nations are as close as Iran and Afghanistan. We proudly announce our readiness to preserve and honor the legacy left to us by our ancestors.”

Ding Guanping, Deputy of China’s MCC company, stated, “We fulfill our responsibility by protecting ancient artifacts, and we are also committed to safeguarding the historical heritage at the Mes Aynak copper mine — even if it comes at the cost of our own interests.”

Officials from the National Museum also highlighted their efforts to facilitate visitor access and emphasized their commitment to proper preservation.

Sibghatullah Abid, Director of the National Museum, said, “The National Museum of Afghanistan has performed its duties not only in preservation but has also operated according to professional and international standards across various sectors.”

International Museum Day is a global occasion held annually on May 18 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to promote awareness of the importance of safeguarding historical and cultural heritage.

Intl Museum Day Sees Renewed Calls to Preserve Nation’s Artifacts
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Afghan Refugees in Iran, Pakistan Urge Attention to Situation

They called on host countries and the Islamic Emirate to address their concerns.

Following rising concerns over the deportation of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, a number of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan have voiced complaints about the difficulties they face.

They called on host countries and the Islamic Emirate to address their concerns.

Atiqullah Mansoor, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, said: “Despite billions of dollars in Afghan migrant investments contributing to the host country’s economy, they still remain uncertain about the future for themselves and their children in Pakistan.”

Enayat Alkozai, another Afghan migrant in Pakistan, said: “Our Afghan migrants in Iran are also facing serious challenges. Many are essentially quarantined in their homes and, unfortunately, cannot leave to work and earn a living.”

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that since 2023, more than 3.4 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan—either voluntarily or involuntarily.

The agency has emphasized that the return of Afghan refugees must be voluntary and carried out with dignity.

Juma Khan Pouya, a refugee rights activist, said: “Authorities in Afghanistan must, through mediation by international organizations such as UNHCR and IOM, persuade host governments to act within the framework of ethical standards, international obligations, and the provisions of conventions including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”

On another note, Iranian media, citing the country’s Interior Minister, have reported that there are currently around two million undocumented foreign nationals in Iran. The minister stated that while Iran shares cultural and historical ties with Afghanistan, it does not have the capacity to accommodate such numbers, and the return of undocumented migrants is among Tehran’s priorities.

Afghan Refugees in Iran, Pakistan Urge Attention to Situation
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Takeaways from AP’s report on Afghan refugees in Virginia

By TIFFANY STANLEY
Associated Press
May 16, 2025

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — The Trump administration’s suspension of the federal refugee program has upended the lives of many Afghans who worked with the United States during wartime.

The upheaval is particularly poignant near Fredericksburg, Virginia, which boasts both strong ties to the military and to resettled Afghans, along with faith communities that serve both groups. The city and its surrounding counties are home to tens of thousands of veterans and active-duty personnel. Virginia also has resettled more Afghan refugees per capita than any other state.

Policy changes and uncertain futures

Refugee resettlement work is in peril. As part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, his administration banned most incoming refugees in January and froze federal funds for the programs. Across the country, resettlement agencies have been forced to lay off staff or close their doors.

Many U.S.-based Afghans are still waiting for family members to join them — hopes that appear on indefinite hold. A subset of Afghans already in the U.S. may soon face deportation as the Trump administration ends their temporary protected status.

Kat Renfroe, the spouse of a retired Marine, supervises the Fredericksburg migration and refugee services office, part of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington.

“I think it’s tough for military families, especially those who have served, to look back on 20 years and not feel as though there’s some confusion and maybe even some anger about the situation,” Renfroe said.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced in April that it was ending its decades-old partnership with the federal government to resettle refugees. The move came after the Trump administration halted the program’s federal funding, which the bishops’ conference channels to local Catholic Charities.

The Fredericksburg Catholic Charities office has continued aiding current clients and operating without layoffs thanks to its diocese’s support and state funds. But it’s unclear what the future of the local agency will be without federal funding or arriving refugees.

A legacy of faith-based service

Religious groups have long been at the heart of U.S. refugee resettlement work. Until the recent policy changes, seven out of the 10 national organizations that partnered with the U.S. government to resettle refugees were faith-based. They were aided by hundreds of local affiliates and religious congregations.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington has been working with refugees for 50 years, starting with Vietnamese people after the fall of Saigon. For the last 10 years, most of its clients have been Afghans, with an influx arriving in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power.

Area faith groups have been key to helping Afghan newcomers get on their feet. Volunteers from local congregations furnish homes, provide meals and drive families to appointments.

“As a church, we care deeply. As Christians, we care deeply,” said Joi Rogers, who led the Afghan ministry at her Southern Baptist church. “As military, we also just have an obligation to them as people that committed to helping the U.S. in our mission over there.”

Rogers’ husband, Jake, a former Marine, is a pastor at Pillar, a network of 16 Southern Baptist churches that minister to military members. Their flagship location is near Quantico, the Marine base in northern Virginia, where nearly 5,000 Afghans were evacuated to after the fall of Kabul.

With Southern Baptist relief funds, Pillar Church hired Joi Rogers to work part time as a volunteer coordinator in the base’s makeshift refugee camp in 2021. Her position was under the auspices of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which the government contracted to help run the camp.

Christians called to care for refugees, politics aside

Veterans and members of the military tend to vote Republican. Most Southern Baptists are among Trump’s staunch white evangelical supporters. For those reasons, Pillar founding pastor Colby Garman knows it may be surprising to some that his church network has been steadfast in supporting refugees.

“I totally understand that is the case, but I think that is a bias of just not knowing who we are and what we do,” Garman said after a recent Sunday service.

Jake Rogers said, “We recognize that there are really faithful Christians that could lie on either side of the issue of refugee policy.”

“Regardless of your view on what our national stance should be on this,” he said, “we as Christ followers should have a heart for these people that reflects God’s heart for these people.”

The last Afghan to arrive

Suraya Qaderi was the last client to arrive at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington before the U.S. government suspended new arrivals.

She was in Qatar waiting to be cleared for a flight to the United States when the Trump administration started canceling approved travel plans for refugees. “I was one of the lucky last few,” Qaderi said.

She arrived in Virginia on Jan. 24, the day the administration sent stop-work orders to resettlement agencies.

Qaderi worked for the election commission in Afghanistan, and she received a special immigrant visa for her close ties to the U.S. government. She was a child when her father disappeared under the previous Taliban regime.

The return of the Taliban government was like “the end of the world,” she said.

Takeaways from AP’s report on Afghan refugees in Virginia
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Iran’s Interior Minister calls for deportation of 2 million undocumented migrants

Khaama Press

Iran’s Interior Minister stressed the urgent need to deport around two million undocumented Afghan migrants due to limited national capacity.

Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, has said the country cannot host undocumented Afghan migrants. He stated that those without legal documents must return to Afghanistan.

Momeni estimated around two million undocumented Afghans currently live in Iran. He claimed that these migrants occupy many jobs that could go to Iranians.

Iran has ramped up efforts to deport Afghan migrants. Authorities plan to expel large numbers by early 2025. Many deported Afghans, however, have reportedly returned to Iran.

Pakistan has also deported over a million undocumented Afghans in the past 18 months. The UN has raised concerns about human rights violations in this process.

Many Afghans are fleeing due to unemployment, Taliban restrictions, and insecurity. These conditions force them to seek refuge in neighboring countries.

The mass deportations of Afghan migrants by neighboring countries highlight the urgent need for a coordinated regional approach to address migration issues. While border control and immigration enforcement are essential, they must be balanced with respect for human rights and humanitarian considerations.

Furthermore, addressing the underlying factors driving migration, such as insecurity, lack of economic opportunities, and political instability in Afghanistan, is vital.

Iran’s Interior Minister calls for deportation of 2 million undocumented migrants
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