For years, many Afghans risked their lives to aid the U.S. military during its longest war. They worked as translators, drivers, and legal advisors, providing critical support that helped coordinate airstrikes against the Taliban and the Islamic State. In return, they were promised safety and a chance at a new life in the United States. However, their dreams took a devastating hit when former President Donald Trump issued executive orders that effectively shut down key programs designed to help Afghans relocate to America.
The impact of these decisions has been profound, leaving thousands of Afghans stranded in a dangerous limbo. One of those affected is Roshangar, a former legal advisor to the Afghan Air Force. From 2007 until the fall of Kabul in 2021, he worked alongside U.S. forces to approve airstrike operations. Now, he, his wife, and his son live in hiding, fearing retribution from the Taliban.
“I was shocked. I am still in shock because I have already waited four years for this process, to get out of this hell and to get to a safe place and live in peace and have a new beginning,” said Roshangar, who requested that only his first name be used to protect his identity.
His story is one of many. During the chaotic evacuation of Kabul in August 2021, U.S. military aircraft airlifted tens of thousands of Afghans from the capital’s airport. However, countless others were left behind, many of whom had already undergone rigorous background checks and were awaiting approval to immigrate. With the recent policy changes, their paths to safety have been blocked, putting their lives at even greater risk.
Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and head of #AfghanEvac, a coalition dedicated to supporting Afghan resettlement, called the situation a disgrace. “It’s an absolute stain on our national honor that we’ve pulled the rug out from under people who have patiently been awaiting relocation and those here in the U.S. who have recently arrived,” he said. “This is an imminently solvable issue, and our national security demands we fix it.”
Roshangar’s case illustrates the brutal reality of this policy shift. He had completed almost every step of the immigration process. His background checks were cleared, his interview was conducted last August, and he was scheduled for a final medical examination when Trump’s executive order abruptly halted refugee resettlement.
His former American colleague, Lt. Col. Steve Loertscher, was among those who referred him to the refugee program in 2021. Loertscher described Roshangar as a victim of bureaucratic neglect, explaining that despite being at high risk, he had not been prioritized by the Biden administration. However, he remains hopeful that Roshangar might qualify for an exemption under the “case-by-case” provision of the executive order. “Eventually, I’m hopeful that he’ll be able to become a refugee and come to the United States,” Loertscher said.
Meanwhile, others who had already secured approval for travel to the U.S. have also been left stranded. Hashmatullah Alam, a 40-year-old Afghan, had a flight scheduled for himself, his wife, and their six children when Trump’s order took effect. They had been processed in Albania, awaiting final approval to board a plane to America. Now, like at least 15,000 other Afghans in similar situations, they remain in limbo, uncertain about their future.
Alam, who risked his life to support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, is now on a Taliban watchlist. Despite the setback, he remains hopeful. “We sacrificed everything to help the U.S. in Afghanistan,” he said. “Now, we are waiting for them to fulfill their promise, to give our children a safe future.”
In Pakistan, Khalid, another Afghan who worked closely with the U.S. Air Force, found himself in a similar predicament. He had been preparing for his relocation to the U.S. when his students informed him of the policy change. “Let me tell you that my students cried after hearing that Trump has suspended the refugee program for us,” he shared.
Khalid, who prefers to use only his first name for security reasons, arrived in Islamabad in March 2023 and underwent a series of security clearances, medical tests, and interviews. As he awaited final approval, he ran out of money and was forced to start teaching Afghan refugee children to support his family. He is reluctant to discuss his work with the U.S. military, but he knows that returning to Afghanistan would mean certain death at the hands of the Taliban.
“We appeal to President Donald Trump to reverse his decision because we have lost whatever we had in Afghanistan,” he pleaded. “He should evacuate us from here and take us to America. We were promised safety, and we need that promise to be honored.”
The current policy has left thousands of Afghans stuck in Albania, Pakistan, Qatar, and other nations, waiting for the U.S. to resume its resettlement efforts. Many veterans who served in Afghanistan have been advocating for these individuals, recognizing their sacrifice and the moral obligation to provide them with a safe haven. They argue that helping these Afghan allies is not just a matter of national honor but also a crucial component of American security.
For now, these Afghan men, women, and children remain trapped in uncertainty, their futures hanging in the balance. The U.S. government faces mounting pressure from advocacy groups, lawmakers, and veterans to reconsider the suspension and find a solution that upholds America's commitment to its allies. Until then, thousands of lives remain in limbo, waiting for a decision that could mean the difference between life and death.
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