Story perspectives

Afghan Ministry Says Safe Return, US Eyes Congo Relocation

4/26/2026

Summary

Afghan Ministry Assures

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said Afghans aided the U.S. war effort in Qatar can return safely, adding that Abdul Qahar Balkhi reported doors remain open with no security threats.
The U.S. administration is discussing moving 1,100 Afghans and service-members’ relatives to the Democratic Republic of Congo and exploring third-country resettlement.
#AfghanEvac said refugees at Camp As-Sayliyah in Doha, housed there, learned of the Congo talks, fear Taliban reprisals, and are depressed.

Summary

Trump Evacuation Plan

UN reported 29 arrests and six torture cases of Afghan officials from Nov 6 to Jan 25, prompting Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to warn that Afghans who aided U.S. remain at risk.
Senators condemned President Donald Trump’s plan to move Afghan evacuees to Democratic Republic of Congo as “inhumane,” “dangerous,” prompting Trump to say he did not know it.
Democratic lawmakers warned plan forces evacuees to choose between Taliban-controlled Afghanistan or Congo crisis.

Summary

Biden Resettlement

150 Afghan family members of U.S. service members are among 1,100 evacuees—including interpreters, special-operations aides, their families, and soldiers’ relatives—housed in Qatar.
The Biden administration launched a resettlement program after the Taliban seized power in 2021 that was designed to relocate these allies directly to the United States.
Camp As-Sayliyah in Doha has served as the long-term shelter for the group for almost a year.

History

Historical Context

After the Immigration Act of 1990 created the permanent Diversity Visa lottery offering up to 55,000 visas each year, the program has repeatedly faced political pushback, culminating in a December 2025 suspension. That history of contested special-immigrant schemes mirrors today’s debate over moving 1,100 Afghan evacuees from Camp As-Sayliyah in Doha to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

1 of 4

Afghan Ministry Assures

Afghanistan’s foreign ministry said Afghans aided the U.S. war effort in Qatar can return safely, adding that Abdul Qahar Balkhi reported doors remain open with no security threats.
The U.S. administration is discussing moving 1,100 Afghans and service-members’ relatives to the Democratic Republic of Congo and exploring third-country resettlement.
#AfghanEvac said refugees at Camp As-Sayliyah in Doha, housed there, learned of the Congo talks, fear Taliban reprisals, and are depressed.

1 / 4