Story perspectives

US Weighs Moving 1,000 Afghan Interpreters to Congo

4/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

Afghanistan's foreign ministry said it will receive the detained allies as the United States debates sending them to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Than 1,000 Afghan interpreters and families are confined at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar while the U.S. State Department studies relocation.
President Donald Trump halted the prior Afghan resettlement program and is considering moving the Qatar detainees to the DRC.
Residents report depression after learning plans from press.

History

Historical Context

In 2008 Congress enacted the Kennedy SIV program, authorizing 5,000 special-immigrant visas annually for Iraqis who aided U.S. forces—a boost from the 500-visa limit set by President George W. Bush in 2007. Today, President Donald Trump’s pause on moving over 1,000 detained Afghan interpreters echoes the earlier Iraqi case, underscoring how shifting U.S. policy can jeopardize allied trust.

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Story summary

Afghanistan's foreign ministry said it will receive the detained allies as the United States debates sending them to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Than 1,000 Afghan interpreters and families are confined at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar while the U.S. State Department studies relocation.
President Donald Trump halted the prior Afghan resettlement program and is considering moving the Qatar detainees to the DRC.
Residents report depression after learning plans from press.

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