The Week of August 18-24
Please note new US Visa Processing Section
Security and Conflict
Two Talibs Killed in Panjshir – On Wednesday, sources in Panjshir reported that two Taliban fighters were killed Tuesday at a checkpoint in Dara district’s Kahzanou area, where they had allegedly harassed civilians. The attack occurred around noon, and no group has claimed responsibility.
Family of Former Counterterrorism Soldier Killed in Nangarhar – On Monday, unidentified armed men killed six relatives of former Afghan counterterrorism soldier Esfandyar Talwar in Sultanpur village, Surkhrod district, Nangarhar. The victims included his father, wife, three daughters, and a son. Taliban authorities confirmed the incident. Talwar, who was abroad at the time, returned after the attack.
Man Executed and Displayed in Herat – On Friday, local sources in Herat reported that the Taliban executed a man, “Dawood”, by shooting him, then hanging his body near Kandahar Gate before riddling it with bullets. His identity remains unknown. Witnesses said Taliban members desecrated the corpse, kicking it and firing at his face as residents looked on. Reports indicate he was accused of involvement with anti-Taliban resistance and of killing two Taliban police officers two days earlier. Some sources also said the Taliban accused him of theft.
Disabled Former ANSF Killed – On Thursday, unidentified gunmen shot dead Rahmatullah, a disabled former soldier, near a Taliban checkpoint in Paktika’s Khairkot district, in front of his mother. Sources said Taliban officials later visited Rahmatullah’s family seeking forgiveness for the accused.
Former Soldier Killed in Nangarhar – On Sunday, August 17, former Afghan army officer Nik Mohammad was killed in Hisarak district, Nangarhar, when unidentified gunmen opened fire, local sources said. A former 205 Atal Corps officer, he had lived as a civilian since the Taliban takeover in 2021, unemployed and unaffiliated with political or armed groups. The attackers fled, and the motive remains unknown. Taliban authorities have not yet commented.
Taliban Kills four Alleged Thieves – Taliban officials in Balkh and Herat said their forces killed four alleged thieves in recent operations. In Balkh’s Charbolak district, three men accused of breaking into a home were shot dead during a clash on Thursday, while one escaped. Authorities said weapons and a motorcycle were seized. Separately, Taliban police in Herat reported killing another man accused of theft a day earlier. The Taliban routinely carry out executions of suspected robbers, opponents, and alleged ISIS members.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Girls Barred From Religious Schools – On Wednesday, Al Arabiya reported that Taliban Supreme Leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered a gradual halt to girls’ enrollment in religious schools, extending the wider education ban on Afghan women. The directive, issued during a Kandahar cabinet meeting, tasks education ministries with restricting female admission. The move reportedly follows concerns that many madrasas were teaching modern subjects such as science and languages.
Women Detained in Kabul — On Thursday night, Taliban morality police detained several women near Kabul’s Parwan Hotel, local sources reported. Families were told to pay 20,000 afghanis ($280) for their release. Some women were freed Friday morning, while others remain in custody. Sources noted that the detainees were already wearing the Taliban-imposed hijab when arrested.
Increasing Restrictions on Women in Herat – Women and girls in Herat report facing intensifying restrictions under the Taliban, including dress code enforcement, harassment in public spaces, and the closure of women-only venues. Some describe being followed home and threatened with arrest, while others say Taliban informants monitor their social media. Activists highlight the severe psychological impact, with many women experiencing hopelessness, fear, and even suicidal thoughts. Residents note that female-only cafés and recreational spaces have been closed, further limiting safe environments, while economic hardship reduces access to remaining venues.
Musicians Arrested – On August 13, Taliban morality police in Herat province raided a private gathering, arrested local singer Jawad Naseri, and destroyed musical instruments. Witnesses reported the use of force during the detention, while authorities have not disclosed his whereabouts. Separately, on Monday, Taliban officials in Takhar province said 13 people were arrested in Bangi district for playing music.
Sharia Law Professor Fired for Republic Connection – On Monday, the Taliban’s Higher Education Ministry dismissed Dr. Khwaja Mohammad Esami, a Kabul University Sharia faculty professor, citing his past role as deputy governor of Laghman under the former republic. Esami, who studied in Saudi Arabia and taught Islamic law for years, was considered a leading academic. Students and colleagues condemned his removal as damaging to higher education, noting he was not only a skilled lecturer but also provided students with deep knowledge in religious studies.
Floggings – On Monday, one person was flogged in Kapisa. On Wednesday, another was flogged in Badakhshan. On Saturday, one man and one woman were flogged in Ghazni, and another man and woman in Baghlan. On Sunday, two men were flogged in Faryab and nine men were flogged in Kabul.
Taliban Demolish Uzbek Poet’s Statue in Mazar – On Wednesday, a monument of Ali-Shir Nawa’i, a celebrated 15th-century poet and scholar, was demolished in Mazar-e-Sharif, sparking sharp criticism from cultural figures, Afghan Uzbek communities, and Uzbekistan’s government. The Taliban claimed the demolition was not coordinated with the government and announced plans to rebuild it in Balkh’s third district. The $20,000 project, partly funded by locals, is expected within a month—an apparent move to ease tensions with Uzbekistan.
Internal Politics
New Restrictions on Passports – On Saturday, the Taliban’s Passport Directorate announced that certain Afghans—including those convicted by Taliban courts, individuals under travel bans, and children without legal guardians—cannot obtain passports. Citizens barred from travel due to debts or unfulfilled obligations, verified through biometric systems, are also excluded. Previously, Afghan law granted passports to all citizens with limited exceptions. The new rules raise concerns that the Taliban may impose travel bans on opponents and former officials to restrict their movement abroad.
Afghan Independence Day Celebration – On Tuesday, the Taliban marked Afghanistan’s 106th Independence Day but criticized King Amanullah Khan for his reforms, with Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi labeling them anti-religious and foreign-inspired. Taliban officials, including Abdul Ghani Baradar and Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, stressed unity to safeguard independence and warned against internal division and foreign interference. Baradar called on exiled opponents to return, while officials urged neighboring states not to undermine Afghanistan.
Border Official Dismissed for Corruption – On Thursday, the Taliban’s Herat Province Clearance Commission accused Qayoumi, head of the Refugees Department at Islam Qala border, of corruption and unanimously called for his dismissal. The decision was formally sent by the provincial administration to the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, citing serious allegations.
Governor Meeting Held in Kandahar – On Thursday, the Taliban’s Herat Province Clearance Commission accused Qayoumi, head of the Refugees Department at Islam Qala border, of corruption and unanimously called for his dismissal. The provincial administration formally forwarded the decision to the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation, citing serious allegations.
All Higher Education Institutes become Universities – On Monday, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education elevated all public and private higher education institutions to university status. The decision aims to strengthen academic standards, promote local study opportunities, and enhance specialization. Authorities said the move will preserve educational value and encourage youth to pursue studies within their home provinces.
International Developments
Afghan War Commission Second Report Released – On Wednesday, the Afghanistan War Commission released its second report, highlighting strategic failures in America’s 20-year war. It said Afghan institutions became overly dependent on US aid, undermining sovereignty, while peace talks with the Taliban began too late to be effective. Corruption, political disunity, and Pakistan’s sheltering of the Taliban further weakened Afghanistan. The Commission noted contradictory US goals, fragile governance, and fading Afghan optimism. Today, terrorist groups such as ISIS-K and al-Qaeda are re-emerging, raising security concerns for the US, Europe, and the region. The full report can be accessed Here
Taliban Respond to UN Report on IS – A UN Security Council session this week warned that ISIS-Khorasan remains a serious security threat in Afghanistan and beyond, with about 2,000 fighters recruiting locally and from Central Asia, Russia’s North Caucasus, and other groups. UN officials, along with Pakistan and Iran, raised alarm over cross-border militancy and the movement of foreign fighters. On Friday, the Taliban dismissed the concerns as “baseless,” with spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid insisting there is “no proof” of terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. The full report, released on August 1, can be accessed Here
Switzerland Hosts Taliban Officials to Assist in Deportations – On Saturday, Switzerland hosted four Taliban diplomats in Geneva to verify Afghan nationals convicted of crimes, a required step since Kabul only recognizes documents issued by its authorities. Officials confirmed 11 cases and two voluntary returnees during the mission. Swiss authorities described the process as sensitive given Afghanistan’s rights record but stressed public safety as the priority. The delegation remained confined to the airport, and most cases were cleared for deportation.
Regional Developments
Trilateral Talks Held in Kabul – On Wednesday, Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi arrived in Kabul for a trilateral meeting hosted by the Taliban. Dar met with Acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi to discuss political, economic, and trade ties, as well as refugees and joint projects. He pledged expanded trade and transit facilities but also urged Kabul to act against militant groups such as the TTP and BLA. Both sides welcomed upgraded diplomatic representation and reaffirmed commitments to cooperation in trade, regional connectivity, and counterterrorism.
Iran Condemns Taliban Treatment of Shias – On Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran has not recognized the Taliban but continues to cooperate with them to protect national interests along the shared border. Speaking to state media, he criticized the Taliban for neglecting the rights of Afghanistan’s Shias and for failing to fully address Iran’s water-sharing demands.
Afghan Migrants Arrested in Turkey – On Thursday, Turkish police detained 41 Afghan migrants, including 15 children, in Çanakkale after the Coast Guard intercepted them in Ayvacık while attempting to travel illegally to Europe. Authorities transferred them to detention centers. Turkey has intensified crackdowns on undocumented migrants, with over 230,000 detained and deported in 2024.
SASSI Confirms Afghan Dialogue – On August 25–26, Islamabad’s South Asian Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI) University will host Afghan leaders and women activists for a closed-door dialogue on regional peace and stability, the first such event since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. Organizers stressed it is not anti-Taliban, though the Taliban and political parties were not invited. Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad called the meeting “unwise,” while Afghan leaders, including Fawzia Koofi, welcomed it as a step toward regional trust and women’s rights.
Rising Regional Tensions Over Water – This week, an Iranian official warned that Afghanistan’s Bakhshabad Dam could block Helmand River flows, raising tensions over water rights. The Taliban’s major projects, including the Qosh Tepa Canal, aim to expand agriculture but have drawn concern from Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. While Iran invokes a 1973 treaty, the Taliban cite water scarcity. Experts caution that these projects may escalate disputes, with possible future friction between Afghanistan and Pakistan over the Kabul River.
Electricity Project With Uzbekistan Announced – On Sunday, August 17, the Taliban’s Economic Affairs Office announced $243 million in contracts with Uzbekistan for four electricity projects signed in Kabul between Breshna and Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy. Attended by Mullah Baradar and Uzbek Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, the projects include expanding major substations and transmission lines, notably the 500 kV Surkhan–Dasht-e Khwaja Alwan line. Scheduled for completion in 18 months, the projects will allow Afghanistan to import 800–1,000 MW of power, significantly boosting electricity supply.
US Visa/Refugee Processing Information
CARE Rumors – Despite rumors, the CARE office is expected to close by September 30. While SIV and immigrant visa cases not impacted by the U.S. travel ban are still being processed, they must now be handled at U.S. embassies or consulates in third countries. CARE flights have ended and are not expected to resume.
SIV Processing – SIV cases are exempt from the U.S. travel ban. Applicants whose cases are interview-ready must continue processing in a third country. SIV applicants are responsible for all costs, including travel, medical exams, accommodations, and onward travel to the United States. They must also maintain valid legal status (e.g., a visa) in the host country. Before pursuing a case transfer, applicants are strongly advised to research visa processing times, cost-of-living conditions, and the feasibility of visa renewals. Contact the U.S. Embassy in the third country before relocating to confirm whether it is accepting SIV cases, as many embassies face significant backlogs and are refusing transfers. Do not relocate until you have written confirmation from the U.S. Embassy approving your transfer and an interview date. Applicants may also wish to secure multi-entry visas to nearby countries for added flexibility while awaiting processing.
Dushanbe SIV Processing – In Tajikistan, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has sharply reduced visa appointments for non-Tajik nationals and is not scheduling SIV interviews. This has caused long delays that may outlast visa validity. The embassy cannot expedite cases, assist with visas, or intervene in deportation or legal stay issues.
Pactio v. Trump – The Trump administration’s indefinite refugee ban has left Afghan P1, P2, and P3 cases—whose travel was canceled when the ban began—in limbo. In Pactio v. Trump, the Ninth Circuit will soon decide whether a compliance framework can move forward to review these cases. Oral arguments on fully restoring the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program are scheduled for September 19 in Pasadena, California.
Travel Ban – The Trump administration’s travel ban on Afghans remains in place. While some Green Card holders have traveled abroad and been allowed to return, Afghans are strongly advised not to travel outside the United States at this time, particularly in light of escalating ICE detentions.
Miscellaneous
More than 70 Afghan Returnees From Iran Killed in Accident – On Tuesday, a passenger bus carrying Afghan migrants deported from Iran crashed and caught fire on Herat’s ring road, killing 79 people, including 19 children, according to Taliban officials. Only three passengers reportedly survived. Authorities said the bus first collided with a motorcycle and then a Mazda vehicle, whose four occupants also died. The Taliban’s Herat police blamed reckless driving and excessive speed. The final death toll has not yet been officially confirmed.
Flooding in Eight Provinces – On Monday, the Taliban’s Disaster Management Authority reported that flash floods over two days in eight provinces killed four people, injured one, and affected 353 families. Kabul, Kapisa, Parwan, Paktika, Logar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kunar were hit, with 11 homes destroyed and 46 damaged. Floods also ruined farmland, orchards, roads, trees, solar panels, shops, and bridges.
NEXT WEEK
The situation in Afghanistan and the region is expected to remain largely static over the next week. In Afghanistan, the Taliban will maintain their security measures. Increased regional engagement has emboldened the Taliban, contributing to continued human rights abuses. Security measures—including searches, checkpoints, and phone inspections—are likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Targeted violence, particularly against individuals associated with the former republic or resistance groups, is also expected to continue in the coming week.
In Pakistan and Iran, the situation remains largely unchanged. Deportations of Afghans without valid visas are ongoing, even for those holding other forms of documentation (PoR cards in Pakistan and census documents in Iran), with new deadlines for additional operations approaching. Afghans in both countries—especially those at risk of Taliban targeting if deported—should exercise caution. Obtaining valid visas where possible and limiting movements is strongly advised. Afghans in third countries should also avoid protests, large gatherings, and high-conflict areas.
Afghans deported from Iran, Pakistan, and Tajikistan may face biometric screening and phone inspections at border crossings. Precautions should be taken in advance whenever possible: phones should be cleared of anti-Taliban content, contacts renamed, social media accounts locked, and discretion used when securing housing or planning movements.
Despite rumors, CARE is not restarting flights at this time. More information can be found in the new U.S. visa information section of the Digest.
ICE detentions continue in the U.S. Afghans are reminded to carry proof of legal status at all times. While enforcement primarily targets individuals with criminal records, all Afghans should be aware of their rights if questioned or detained. It is essential for Afghans in the U.S. to understand their rights in relation to ICE. More information on your rights can be found here
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
1.9 Million Afghans Returned from Iran in 2025 – The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that more than 1.9 million Afghans have returned from Iran to Afghanistan in 2025, with 60 percent deported. Of these, over 1.6 million—about 85 percent—returned between March 20 and August 20.
46 Afghans Executed Since the Start of 2025 – According to a report released by Hengaw on Tuesday, Iran has executed 800 people since January 2025, including 46 Afghans, mostly convicted of drug-related crimes. The group warned of rising executions, noting an average of 100 per month. Victims also included 30 political prisoners, 22 women, and one child.
Three Men Arrested for Extorting Afghans – Tehran police arrested three men accused of extorting Afghan migrants while impersonating officers with police gear. Authorities said the suspects intimidated victims in various locations across the city and currently face 25 complaints, though the number of Afghan victims is unclear. Similar incidents have occurred before, with Afghan migrants alleging that not only impostors but also some Iranian officials have engaged in systematic extortion against them.
Five Police killed in Sistan and Balochistan – On Friday, five Iranian police officers were killed in an armed attack on patrol units near the Damen outpost in Iranshahr, Sistan-Baluchistan province, according to state media. Authorities said gunmen opened fire along the Khash–Iranshahr road before fleeing, and security forces have launched pursuit operations. The Sunni militant group Jaish al-Adl, composed of Baluch insurgents opposed to the Iranian government, later claimed responsibility for the attack—the latest in a series of assaults in the region.
PAKISTAN
Afghans Waiting for German Visas Detained – On Monday, Germany’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that 211 Afghan refugees under its protection were deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan, with efforts underway to contact them. Many were former GIZ staff detained in Islamabad after Pakistan stopped renewing visas. A day earlier, 245 Afghans detained in a raid on a German safehouse were released.
Afghan Families Homeless and at Risk of Deportations in Islamabad – Around 200 Afghan families evicted from homes in Islamabad have taken refuge in a park, including newborns, mothers, and pregnant women living outdoors. Refugees say police pressured landlords to expel them solely for being Afghan. Many fear returning home, citing security threats under Taliban rule. UNHCR described their situation as “dangerous,” warning of arrests and deportations. The UN confirmed that Pakistan has already begun deporting documented Afghans ahead of a September 1 deadline, amid halted visa extensions and mass expulsions.
Increased Deportations – Taliban officials at Torkham said deportations of Afghan migrants from Pakistan have intensified, with hundreds of families crossing daily. The Taliban reported that 541 families returned via Torkham and 93 through Spin Boldak in just one day. Some returnees accused Pakistan of freezing millions of Afghanis in assets.
ISKP Attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – On Wednesday, at least six Pakistani soldiers, including a major, were injured in an IED blast targeting a military vehicle on Inayat Kala Bypass in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The explosion, which sparked panic and gunfire, was later claimed by Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). The group said the attack was carried out using a tricycle packed with explosives placed along the roadside.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Kate Clark
It is a year since the Islamic Emirate issued a new law to propagate virtue and prevent vice. The goal, of changing Afghans’ dress and behaviour, has been an abiding mission of the Taliban’s since they first emerged as a movement in the 1990s. The law laid out not only the actions that the Emirate deems obligatory or forbidden for Afghan men and women, but also the duties and powers of those enforcing it. It gave them extensive powers to both police and punish wrongdoers, and one privilege to male enforcers – they are legally allowed to interact with unrelated women as part of their duties. This policing of women causes great fear and anxiety among Afghans, as Kate Clark and the AAN team found when they interviewed women and men about the law. However, three enforcers, also interviewed, all of whom work in Kabul, expressed not a desire to strike fear into the hearts of the people, but, rather, uneasiness and difficulty in policing the moral behaviour of Kabulis. They found the capital alien and alienating, many of its people disrespectful and women, in particular, hard to deal with.
One of the first actions of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on regaining power in August 2021 was a profoundly symbolic one – turning the Ministry of Women’s Affairs into the Ministry for Propagating Virtue and Preventing Vice.[1]Then, a year ago, on 21 August 2024, the power of the ministry was amplified by a decree from Supreme Leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. It consolidated and codified many of the Emirate’s existing rules, repeating some of those he had already issued as decrees, orders or instructions, broadening others and adding new types of behaviour or actions that became obligatory or forbidden.
The articles of the 45,000-word-long law which are most heavily policed are: men must grow beards that are at least as long as their fists and wear loose-fitting clothes, and pray on time and in a mosque; and women must wear what the Emirate calls ‘sharia hijab’, ie be fully covered, except for their eyes, with their voices also considered to be awra (a term used usually to refer to parts of the body that should be hidden). The stated rationale for the strict rules on women’s dress is to prevent fitna, meaning temptation, or social disorder that facilitates sin. Worth noting here is that interviewees sometimes refer to women as “not wearing hijab” (bi-hijab). This does not mean they are not covering their heads, but that they are wearing less bulky or less covering clothes than the speaker thinks is ‘proper’ or ‘permissible’.
AFGHAN NEWS
Afghanistan’s Fragile Health System Buckles Under Surge of Deportees from Iran and Pakistan
Afghanistan’s fragile healthcare system is at breaking point under the strain of hundreds of thousands of Afghans deported from Iran and Pakistan over the past few months, many in urgent need of medical care.
This follows the decision by both Pakistan and Iran to repatriate Afghans, even those with refugee status in the case of Pakistan. Earlier this year, the UN High Commission for Refugees estimated that there were over 3,5 million Afghan refugees in Iran and 1,7 million in Pakistan.
Between January and 13 August, some 1.86 million Afghans have been returned from Iran and over 314,000 from Pakistan, bringing the total returns to over two million people over the past eight months alone.
Taliban ban certain clothing for students, professors in universities
Ahmad Azizi
The Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has barred professors and students at all public and private universities from attending classes wearing Western-style clothing, local sources told Amu.
According to the directive, men are no longer allowed to wear dress shirts, trousers, or suits, referred to locally as Western-style clothing.
The order also requires hair and beards to conform to Taliban standards. Violators will first receive a warning, but repeat offenses will result in “legal action,” the sources said.
REGIONAL NEWS
Iran using Taliban ‘kill list’ to hunt British spies
Afshin Madadi. Gareth Corfield
Iran’s revolutionary guards are hunting British spies using a leaked Ministry of Defence list provided by the Taliban, The Telegraph has learnt.
A group of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials flew to Kabul last week to discuss a cooperation deal with Taliban leadership, according to senior Iranian and Afghan officials.
The officials, whom sources said travelled to Afghanistan without the knowledge of Tehran’s civilian government, wanted to use the list to capture suspected spies to use as bargaining chips in discussions with the West over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme.
From Jihad to Jirga: How the TTP Is Rebranding Itself as Defender of the Pashtun Nation
Amira Jadoon, Saif Tahir, and Joey Moran
In the first half of 2025, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed more than a thousand attacks, with over 300 attacks in July alone, as it intensified operations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southern Punjab, Pakistan. Yet beyond the rising body count, a more subtle evolution is underway. Once defined as a religious militant organization fighting to impose Islamic law or Shariah, the TTP now frames its struggle as a broader political and ethnic battle against the Pakistani state, deploying a coordinated a propaganda campaign to position itself as the guardian of the Pashtun nation, invoking tribal honor, civilian suffering, and ethnic identity.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
‘I’m Afraid:’ What U.S. Aid Cuts Mean for the Women of Afghanistan
Elise Blanchard
Over the past 12 years, the small family-health clinic in Melmastok, a remote mountainous community in Afghanistan’s central Daikundi province, has withstood multiple upheavals—from a Taliban insurgency to the withdrawal of international troops and the collapse of the U.S.-backed government in Kabul in 2021. Ever since, as the Taliban returned to power, once again issuing edicts to suppress women and girls, the clinic and its 34-year-old midwife Atifa have continued to provide a lifeline for mothers and young children. Until this summer, that is. Come July, the clinic finally closed its doors. For Atifa, who identifies herself like many local women with only her first name, that means one thing: “Mothers and children will die.”
CARE’s Closure Signals a Deeper Crisis in Afghan Resettlement Policy
Mona Garimella and Zahra Rahimi
At the end of July, the U.S. State Department’s Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE) – not to be confused with the humanitarian agency of the same name – officially shut down.
The State Department’s CARE office was established after the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan to serve as a central point of coordination for relocation cases, liaising with federal agencies, veteran advocates, and NGOs. Its closure marks the loss of a trusted federal lifeline that had developed cultural and operational expertise in supporting Afghan allies.
US Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Afghan Allies Left Behind
Kabul Now
US lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill to restore Afghan relocation efforts, accelerate family reunifications, and honor America’s commitment to its Afghan allies left behind after the withdrawal.
The “Enduring Welcome Act” was introduced Tuesday by Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), with Reps. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), and several others are signing on as co-sponsors, according to a congressional statement.
If passed, the bill would reestablish the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE), set up a secure database to track refugee cases, and accelerate family reunifications for Afghans who supported the US government during its two-decade war in Afghanistan. It would also require the State Department to provide quarterly reports to Congress on Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), refugee, and parole cases.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 68.03 AFN (As of August 24)