The Left-Behind Students: Unraveling The Plight Of American Students In Afghanistan

The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan has left many students stranded in the country. This includes students from the American University of Afghanistan, as well as public school students from California. In the case of the American University of Afghanistan, evacuation efforts have been hindered by logistical challenges, policy constraints, and the volume of people needing to be evacuated. The U.S. government's prioritization of American citizens, green card holders, and those who helped the military has also contributed to the difficulties in evacuating students. As of August 2021, about 350 students from the American University of Afghanistan remained stranded in Kabul, unable to obtain visas or safely evacuate. Additionally, several California public school students from Sacramento were reported to be trapped in Afghanistan, with the exact number ranging from 27 to 29 students from 19 families. The future of these students remains uncertain as they navigate the challenges of returning to the U.S. or relocating to other countries.

Students from the American University of Afghanistan

The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) was the country's first private, not-for-profit institution of higher education. It was established in 2006 and provided modern, global standard education to its students. The university was located in the Darulaman section of Kabul and had two campuses.

In August 2021, the Taliban seized the AUAF campus after the US military completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan. The AUAF campus was taken over by the Taliban, and they spray-painted messages calling the university community "infidels".

During the evacuation efforts, AUAF students and their relatives faced significant challenges in attempting to flee the country. Despite the efforts of the university administration and the US government, many students were left behind. Leslie Schweitzer, a board member of the university and chair of the Friends of the American University of Afghanistan, expressed concern for the students' safety and worked to evacuate around 4,000 students, faculty, and staff. However, due to logistical challenges and policy constraints, only about 50 students were evacuated, with another 50 to 75 escaping on their own.

As of December 2021, over half of the students had been evacuated and were mainly in Iraq, Kyrgyzstan, and the US, with others in countries like Germany, France, Chile, and Rwanda. However, as of March 2022, approximately 350 students were still stranded in Kabul, facing difficulties in obtaining visas to leave the country. They faced security threats, with the Taliban calling AUAF students "U.S.-trained infidel wolves in sheep's skin."

The AUAF administration continued its efforts to support and evacuate the remaining students, working with various organizations and governments. In December 2021, AUAF signed an agreement with the Qatar Foundation and Qatar Fund for Development to evacuate students and relocate the campus to Doha. However, the process faced delays due to visa issues.

The situation for those left behind is dire, with students facing mental health issues, anxiety, and depression due to the uncertainty of their future. They are desperate to leave Afghanistan and continue their education in a safe environment.

California public school students stranded in Afghanistan

California is home to one of the largest Afghan American communities in the United States, with one out of every nine Afghan natives living in the country residing in the Sacramento region. In August 2021, several California public school students from the San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento were stranded in Afghanistan following the official withdrawal of U.S. troops from the country. The students, ranging from elementary to high school grades, were from 19 families.

The situation was first reported by district officials on August 26, 2021, who initially stated that six families—approximately 16 adults and 24 students—were stranded. This number was later revised to eight families, with the overall count of individuals remaining unclear. On August 28, 2021, the number of students was thought to be 32, but by August 31, 2021, the district confirmed that 29 students from 19 families were still in Afghanistan.

The students were in Afghanistan visiting family members during the summer break when the Taliban took control of the country. The Sacramento school district expressed their readiness to support the stranded students and their families, stating that they were working closely with state officials and congressional offices to facilitate their return. Congressman Ami Bera, who represents Sacramento, also assured that his office was in close contact with the school district and had flagged the situation with the State Department and the Department of Defense.

By September 1, 2021, three families had returned to California, and three others were out of Afghanistan and on their way to the United States. One family was in the process of leaving Afghanistan, while another remained stranded. The students and their families faced challenges in reaching the Kabul airport due to the large crowds and the Taliban's control of the airport checkpoints.

The situation highlighted the difficulties faced by Afghan Americans and refugees caught between two countries, with their safety and well-being at risk.

Evacuation efforts by the US government

The US government has made several evacuation efforts from Afghanistan, especially after the Taliban took control of Kabul and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan collapsed in August 2021.

The US government has facilitated the departure of American citizens and their families, lawful permanent residents, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders with their families. Between 14 and 25 August 2021, the US evacuated about 82,300 people from Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, including US citizens, SIV applicants, and other vulnerable Afghans. In total, over 122,000 people were airlifted from Afghanistan. The US has welcomed more than 74,000 Afghans through Operation Allies Welcome and is prepared to facilitate the resettlement of additional qualifying Afghans.

The US State Department has been in contact with Afghans seeking assistance, including US citizens, legal permanent residents, SIVs, and those with pending immigrant visas. The US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has been processing Afghans outside of Afghanistan in a third country. The US government has also directed Afghans with safety concerns to contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) protection office.

The US government has also worked with other countries and organisations to facilitate evacuations. For example, the US government signed an agreement with Qatar and the Taliban to allow American evacuation flights at Kabul Airport to proceed without hindrance. Two flights a week have been departing Afghanistan, although flights were cancelled for a period of time. The US government has also worked with Qatar to relocate the main campus of the American University of Afghanistan to Doha and evacuate students.

Despite these efforts, there have been challenges and criticisms of the US government's evacuation process. There have been reports of students from the American University of Afghanistan being sent home after evacuations were called off due to security threats at the airport. There have also been reports of California public school students being unable to leave Afghanistan. The US military has expressed frustration with the White House and diplomats over the Afghanistan evacuation, citing a lack of preparation and coordination.

The Taliban's threat to students' lives

The Taliban poses a threat to the lives of students in Afghanistan. In the past, the Taliban has been responsible for deadly assaults on educational institutions. In August 2016, Taliban gunmen assaulted the American University of Afghanistan, killing at least a dozen students and staff.

In 2021, hundreds of students, their relatives, and staff of the American University of Afghanistan gathered at a safe house and boarded buses in an attempt to evacuate on U.S. military flights. However, their evacuation efforts were unsuccessful, and they were sent back home.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has also resulted in the closure of schools and universities, disrupting the education of thousands of students. About 350 students from the American University of Afghanistan were left stranded in Kabul, unable to obtain visas to leave the country.

The Taliban's restrictions on education, particularly for girls and women, have been a significant cause for concern. In some Taliban-controlled areas, girls' schools have been closed, and women have been prohibited from working and obtaining an education. The Taliban's strict interpretation of Sharia law and Islamic fundamentalism has led to the denial of basic rights and freedoms for students, especially females.

The Taliban's policies and actions pose a direct threat to the lives and well-being of students in Afghanistan, with limited access to education and constant fear for their safety.

The future of students stuck in Afghanistan

The U.S. government's lack of priority for these students during the evacuation has left them in a precarious situation. While some students were able to escape on their own or with the help of private assistance and the Qatar government, the majority remain stranded. The Taliban takeover of the university campus, with its messages of enmity and infidelity, further endangers those left behind.

Efforts to evacuate students to Qatar through an agreement with the Qatar Foundation and Qatar Fund for Development have faced delays due to visa issues and the complexity of the process. The U.S. government's reluctance to offer more help, despite being a major funder of the university, adds to the challenges.

The students' best hope lies in the continued humanitarian efforts and the possibility of evacuation to safe campuses in Qatar or other countries. However, with the airport closed and the Taliban in control, the path to safety remains unclear and filled with anxiety and fear for the students and their families.

The situation highlights the plight of those left behind in Afghanistan and the need for continued support and advocacy to secure their safe evacuation and future.

Frequently asked questions