US Ends Afghan Resettlement Efforts Under Trump Administration

The Trump administration is considering winding down operations for an office that helps resettle Afghans, according to a U.S. government official and a source familiar with the program. The Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts handles relocation logistics, processing cases in third-party countries, and oversees Operation Enduring Welcome.

A final decision has not been made about the program's fate, but much of it has already been paused as State Department staff are being told the government is looking at options. The potential drafting of plans to wind down operations for the CARE office was first reported by Reuters, which reported options could include closing processing centers in Qatar and Albania.

The latest direction comes as efforts to resettle Afghan families of U.S. service members, people who aided the U.S. military, and unaccompanied children waiting for family reunification have been impacted by the Trump administration's recent executive actions. The orders halted the refugee admission program and paused foreign aid.

"In Afghanistan, there are about 40,000 people who have already gotten their chief of mission approval. Their identities have been validated, their security vetted. They're ready to move onward and to achieve their American dream. In Pakistan, there are roughly 15,000 people in the SIV, or refugee track, who are vetted,"

said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations helping Afghans resettle.

The Trump administration has undertaken a broader effort to re-evaluate government spending. The White House did not comment directly on specific programs, but officials have noted the ongoing assessments in the federal government.

"Applying a lens over all the foreign aid and money we deploy around the world is an important conversation to have, but our commitment to those who have helped us doesn't waver, but it requires a more sensible process than we've employed,"

said National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes.

Others have pointed to strengths in the vetting process. "This is the most secure legal immigration system that we have, the fact that we vet people eight different ways before we bring them to a third country to get vetted even more before they come here is extraordinary," said VanDiver.

"If our wartime allies look around, or if the local forces look around, say, 'Hey, I remember what you did to Afghanistan,' they're not going to help us,"

he warned.

The coalition has worked to raise their concerns to the Trump administration as the president has promised tougher immigration policies.

"President Trump had a lot to say about the withdrawal. He had a lot to say about Afghanistan and what happened afterward, in all of the debates and at the RNC, it came up every day. He paraded the Abbey Gate families out on the stage. He went to their graves. So we are not sure that President Trump knows that this is happening, because it's just unconscionable that the administration would betray veterans this way,"

VanDiver said.

The White House and State Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The US has officially ended its Afghan resettlement efforts under the Trump administration, marking a significant shift in the country's response to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. According to reports, the Department of State had been working on a plan to resettle up to 10,000 Afghans who had worked with the US military and government during the war. However, the plan was reportedly put on hold due to concerns about national security."The resettlement program has been paused," said a senior administration official in an interview. "We're taking a step back and re-evaluating our options." This decision comes as the Taliban continues to make gains in Afghanistan, with reports suggesting that the group is gaining control of significant areas of the country. The US has previously committed to supporting the Afghan government in its efforts to counter the Taliban's advances.The news has sparked concerns among human rights advocates and lawmakers, who fear that the end of resettlement efforts may lead to further displacement and suffering for Afghans. "The Trump administration is abandoning thousands of people who risked their lives to work with us," said a senior Democratic aide. "This decision sends a terrible message about our commitment to protecting those who have helped us in Afghanistan."