TIRANA, Albania — Many Afghans who collaborated with the U.S. military, especially during operations against the Taliban and the Islamic State, had hoped for a new beginning in the United States. They served in roles such as drivers, translators, and advisors throughout America’s prolonged involvement in Afghanistan. However, their dreams were dashed when President Trump issued executive orders that abruptly halted resettlement programs designed to assist Afghan allies in escaping the dangers they faced at home. Now, these individuals, who had already endured extensive vetting processes, find themselves stuck in uncertainty.
“I am still in shock. After four years of waiting, I hoped to leave this perilous situation for a peaceful life,” shared Roshangar, one of the affected Afghans, who chose to disclose only his first name due to fears of Taliban retaliation. Roshangar, along with his wife and son, is currently in hiding in Afghanistan, where they live in constant fear of Taliban retribution resulting from his decade-long partnership with U.S. forces.
He played a vital role as a legal advisor to the Afghan Air Force, responsible for assisting U.S. officials in reviewing and approving airstrike plans against the Taliban and IS from 2007 until the fall of Kabul in 2021. “Trump’s decisions were unexpected and left us in immense danger under Taliban rule,” he expressed.
Roshangar’s story exemplifies the broader consequences of the sudden policy changes initiated by Trump, which were made with minimal consultation from experts familiar with the impacted regions. “It is a profound disgrace to our national integrity that we’ve abandoned those who have been patiently awaiting relocation, along with others who have recently arrived in the U.S. This is a resolvable situation, and our national security requires that we address it,” said Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and leader of #AfghanEvac, an initiative dedicated to supporting Afghan resettlement efforts.
During the chaotic evacuation from Kabul in August 2021, U.S. military aircraft rescued tens of thousands of Afghans. Yet, countless others could not board the flights. Since then, various pathways had been established for Afghans to immigrate to the U.S. based on their roles in the U.S.-led mission. Those routes, however, have been terminated.
This development represents yet another challenge for American allies who, despite receiving significant support from bipartisan lawmakers and veterans groups, encounter persistent obstacles in their attempts to relocate and commence new lives following the abrupt U.S. exit from Afghanistan. Currently, many find themselves in Albania, Pakistan, and Qatar, awaiting further transfers to the U.S., while others remain hidden within Afghanistan.
Afghans who successfully reach the U.S. face rigorous screening processes that typically involve a referral from a contact, comprehensive background checks, medical evaluations, and interviews with U.S. officials. Roshangar was on the verge of completing this process when Trump’s announcement halted all refugee resettlement programs.
Lt. Col. Steve Loertscher, one of the Americans who collaborated with Roshangar, referred him to the refugee program shortly after the fall of Kabul. He asserts that Roshangar’s case deserves consideration due to the specific threats he faces from the Taliban. “I remain optimistic that he will eventually gain refugee status and come to the U.S.,” Loertscher added.
Numerous veterans who served in Afghanistan have spent years aiding the Afghan individuals they worked alongside in their quest for safety in the U.S. While some anticipated challenges, they hoped that Afghan allies would receive special attention. Hashmatullah Alam was set to fly with his wife and six children to the U.S. when Trump’s order took effect. The 40-year-old had moved to Albania in December, where he was to be processed for a special immigrant visa.
He is among at least 15,000 Afghans who had been approved for travel before the pause went into place, according to AfghanEvac. Alam, who risks his family’s safety by supporting the U.S. mission, had envisioned a new life in America for his children, where they could receive education and grow up free from fear. “We are also aiding our families back home who remain in Afghanistan,” he noted.
In Pakistan, Khalid, who had worked with the U.S. Air Force, was anxiously awaiting his flight confirmation when he learned of Trump’s order via his students. “My students cried upon hearing the news,” he recounted. Since arriving in Islamabad in March 2023, Khalid completed all required procedures, only to find himself in financial distress, struggling to support his family while teaching Afghan children.
Reluctant to disclose specifics about his contributions, he revealed, “What I did was so critical that returning would mean death at the hands of the Taliban.” Khalid appeals to President Trump to reconsider his decision, emphasizing the lost hopes of countless individuals and families whose lives depend on the fulfillment of promises made to them: “We were assured we would be brought to America, and it is crucial that this pledge is honored.”
