Thousands of Afghan refugees, including those at risk of Taliban retribution, are stranded in Albania following former President Donald Trump’s recent decision to halt aid for resettling Afghan visa holders. This suspension affects over 40,000 individuals approved for U.S. visas, leaving them in limbo and heightening fears of forced return to Afghanistan.
Hopes Dashed for Afghan Families
Ali Amini, a former locksmith for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, had his life packed into suitcases, ready to start afresh in the United States with his family. Just days before their scheduled flight, the aid freeze halted their plans. Amini and his wife, along with their three children, now face an uncertain future in Shengjin, a coastal town in northern Albania.
“If we return, the Taliban will kill us,” Amini said, his voice heavy with fear. For the Taliban, he explained, those who worked alongside U.S. forces are considered traitors and prime targets for retribution.
Amini had been in hiding for three years after the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. His family’s journey to safety began in Tirana, Albania’s capital, where they secured U.S. visas as part of a resettlement program. However, the aid suspension has left them and hundreds of others in Shengjin stranded, anxious, and unsure of what comes next.
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Aid Freeze Impacts Thousands
Trump’s decision to suspend aid has disrupted travel plans for tens of thousands of Afghan visa holders. According to Shawn VanDiver, leader of the #AfghanEvac coalition, the freeze directly impacts flights needed to transport refugees to the United States. Advocacy groups warn that this delay leaves vulnerable families exposed to Taliban threats and risks further destabilizing their already precarious lives.
The aid suspension also affects housing and employment support for Afghans who worked with U.S. forces or organizations. For families like Amini’s, it represents not just a delay in resettlement but a potential life-or-death situation.
Lingering Threats and Uncertain Futures
Many Afghan refugees in Albania share Amini’s fears. For those who assisted U.S. forces during their two-decade presence in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s return to power has placed them at the top of the group’s hit list. Returning to Afghanistan could mean imprisonment or execution for these families.
The news has taken an emotional toll on refugees in Albania. Amini’s wife broke down in tears when they heard about the suspension, while their children, including a six-month-old baby, remain anxious about their future.
Advocacy and Global Responsibility
The suspension of aid not only leaves refugees in limbo but also raises questions about the United States’ responsibility toward those who risked their lives to support its mission in Afghanistan. Advocacy groups like #AfghanEvac are urging the U.S. government to prioritize the resumption of resettlement efforts to safeguard the lives of these vulnerable individuals.
For now, families like Amini’s remain in Shengjin, clinging to the hope that they will one day step onto a plane heading to safety in the United States. Their future depends on swift action and renewed commitment from the U.S. government to fulfill its promises.
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