Communities Unite to Honor Afghan Heritage, Four Years After Mass Exodus

A community gathering celebrating Afghan culture drew hundreds to the University of Indianapolis, coinciding with the four-year mark since refugees fleeing the Taliban arrived in Indiana. The Afghan Annual Cultural Festival at the UIndy Schwitzer Student Center brought together more than 300 people.

Among the crowd was Najia Sherzad Hoshmand, founder and CEO of the Afghan American Community Center, who is still waiting to be reunited with her loved ones stuck in Afghanistan. "We were hiding, we were not safe," she said. "But we are so blessed and grateful that we were evacuated by the U.S. government."

Hoshmand is one of the 7,200 refugees who arrived at Camp Atterbury in 2021, following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Her mother remains overseas, like many other relatives of refugees "living in limbo" since President Donald Trump returned to office.

On his first day back in office, Trump issued an executive order pausing all refugee admissions. The Department of Homeland Security terminated Temporary Protected Status for Afghanistan, citing an improved security situation and stabilizing economy. However, a Department of State travel advisory warns of high risks of civil unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism.

Hoshmand hopes her family and others can soon reunite stateside, joining the 700 refugees who ultimately settled in Indiana and still call the Hoosier State home. "I urge and I seek support from our current administration to help our Afghans find safety and reunite with their family members here," she said.