US weighs relocating Afghan refugees from Qatar to Congo or returning them home
Proposal affecting more than 1,100 Afghans draws criticism from lawmakers and rights groups over safety concerns
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — The United States is considering a plan to relocate more than 1,100 Afghan refugees from a transit facility in Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo or return them to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, according to a report by The New York Times.
The proposal targets Afghans who have been awaiting resettlement since the 2021 withdrawal, as Washington explores “third-country” options amid delays in relocation processing.
Shawn VanDiver, head of the advocacy group AfghanEvac, said U.S. officials had briefed him on the plan and warned that refugees are likely to strongly oppose relocation to Congo.
Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, hundreds of thousands of Afghans — including those who worked with U.S. and NATO forces — have sought resettlement abroad. While more than 190,000 have been relocated to the United States, many remain in temporary facilities in countries such as Qatar.
The reported plan has raised alarm due to ongoing instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where armed conflict and displacement continue in several regions.
Critics say transferring vulnerable Afghan families to another fragile environment risks worsening their situation rather than resolving it.
The U.S. State Department has not confirmed Congo as a destination but said it is reviewing “voluntary third-country resettlement options” for Afghans in Qatar, aiming to create “positive pathways” for them to rebuild their lives.
Lawmakers have voiced opposition to the proposal. Tim Kaine called the idea unacceptable, urging Washington to honor commitments to Afghan partners.
Andy Kim also criticized the plan, saying Afghans who supported U.S. missions risked their lives and should not be sent to countries where they lack protection or ties.
“Proposals to send them to unfamiliar and unsafe destinations are cruel and shameful,” Kim said in a social media statement.
Rights groups warn that returning refugees to Afghanistan could expose them to persecution or retaliation under current conditions, while relocation to distant countries with limited support systems could create new humanitarian risks.
The uncertainty facing Afghans still in Qatar underscores the broader challenges of resolving one of the most complex humanitarian consequences of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
