Left Behind: The Plight Of Stranded Students In Afghanistan

Several students from the US were stranded in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in 2021. The students, from San Diego and Sacramento, had been visiting extended family over the summer and were unable to leave the country as chaos unfolded. The families were scared and trapped in the Kabul area, unable to reach the airport. There were at least 18 students from the Cajon Valley Union School District in San Diego still stranded in Afghanistan, and 24 students from the Sacramento area. Congressman Darrell Issa said that his staff had been in constant communication with the families and that they were working with national security officials to assist them with a safe exit.

Students from Sacramento and San Diego were stranded in Afghanistan

In the aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, several students from Sacramento and San Diego were stranded in the country. The students, from the San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento and the Cajon Valley Union School District in San Diego, were unable to return home due to the chaotic situation at the Kabul airport and the Taliban's control of the country.

Sacramento Students Stranded in Afghanistan

The San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento, California, reported that 24 to 29 students from their district were stranded in Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal. These students came from 19 families and had not returned to school for the 2021-2022 school year. The school district, which has a large population of Afghan refugee students, initially believed that up to 150 students might be affected by the turmoil in Afghanistan. Congressman Ami Bera and the school district worked together to bring the students home safely, but the process was challenging due to the complex situation on the ground.

San Diego Students Stranded in Afghanistan

In San Diego, the Cajon Valley Union School District reported that three to eighteen students from their district were stranded in Afghanistan. These students were part of five to eight families who had traveled to Afghanistan during the summer break to visit extended family. The families became stranded when the Taliban quickly took control of the country, and the situation at the Kabul airport became dangerous. Congressman Darrell Issa worked to help the families evacuate, and by August 26, three families had been able to return safely to the U.S. The remaining families were in contact with Issa's office and other officials, working to find a way out of the country.

Impact and Efforts to Help

The situation of the stranded students and their families highlighted the challenges faced by many trying to leave Afghanistan during the U.S. withdrawal. It also brought attention to the large number of Afghan refugees and immigrants in the Sacramento and San Diego areas, many of whom had come to the U.S. on special immigrant visas. The school districts and local communities worked to support and assist the stranded students and their families, offering counseling and other resources. Despite these efforts, it is unclear how many students and families were ultimately able to return home safely.

Families of the students were visiting Afghanistan during the summer break

Families of students from the Cajon Valley Union School District in San Diego County, California, were visiting Afghanistan during the summer break in 2021. The families had travelled separately to the country to visit extended family, with many arriving weeks or months before the Taliban's takeover. However, they soon found themselves stranded in the ensuing chaos.

At one point, there were at least eight San Diego-area families stranded, all with children attending the Cajon Valley Union School District. As of August 26, 2021, five of those eight families, comprising 14 students and eight parents, were still in Afghanistan, while three had safely returned home. These families were in hiding and unable to reach the Kabul airport due to the dangerous situation on the ground.

The families had travelled to Afghanistan for summer vacations to visit their grandparents, cousins, and other relatives. Most of them had immigrated to the United States on special immigrant visas after working for the US government or military in Afghanistan. The visa allowed only for the individual, their spouse, and their children.

The situation was particularly dire due to the rapidly approaching August 31 deadline for the United States to end its withdrawal from Afghanistan. Congressman Darrell Issa expressed concern about the safety of these families and worked tirelessly with his team to ensure their safe return. The school district also confirmed that counselling services were available for students struggling to process the situation.

In addition to the San Diego-area families, there were also students from Sacramento stranded in Afghanistan. The San Juan Unified School District reported that 24 to 29 students from 19 families were initially stranded, though some were eventually evacuated. The school district remained in close contact with congressional offices and state officials to coordinate information and offer assistance.

The Taliban takeover of Kabul caused chaos and left many stranded

The Taliban's takeover of Kabul caused chaos and left many stranded. This includes students from the US who were visiting Afghanistan during the summer break.

In El Cajon, California, there were at least eight families stranded in Afghanistan, with children attending the Cajon Valley Union School District in east San Diego County. As of August 26, 2021, five of the eight families were still in the country, with three having safely returned home. These families had travelled separately to Afghanistan to visit extended family and got stuck during the Taliban's chaotic takeover of Kabul. Congressman Darrell Issa expressed concern about the safety of Americans stranded in Afghanistan, stating that they are working tirelessly to ensure people aren't left behind.

In Sacramento, California, the San Juan Unified School District confirmed that 24 students were still stranded in Afghanistan as of August 31, 2021. This was down from an initial estimate of 150 students. The school district staff have been working closely with Congressman Ami Bera's office to bring these students back safely. Bera's office has flagged the students' information with the State Department and the Department of Defense but has not received any updates. The Sacramento region has a large population of Afghan refugees, and students were likely visiting relatives during the summer before the sudden Taliban takeover.

The situation in Afghanistan caused by the Taliban's takeover of Kabul has led to chaos and left many stranded, including American students and their families who were visiting the country. The US government and various organisations are working to assist and evacuate those affected, but the process has been challenging and dangerous.

The US government is working to help students and their families exit Afghanistan safely

Congressman Ami Bera's office has been working closely with the school district to bring these students back safely. Bera's team has flagged the students' information with the State Department and the Department of Defense, but as of September 1, 2021, had not received an update. The White House and the Department of Defense referred media inquiries to the State Department, which stated that while US personnel had been withdrawn from Kabul, they would continue to assist US citizens and their families from Doha, Qatar.

The Cajon Valley Union School District in El Cajon, San Diego, also reported that several of its students were stranded in Afghanistan. Congressman Darrell Issa's office confirmed that they were working to help these students and their families escape Afghanistan. By August 27, 2021, three families from this district had safely returned to the US, and by August 29, another three families were also out of Afghanistan and heading home.

The US government has emphasized its commitment to assisting US citizens and their families, as well as lawful permanent residents, and Afghans who supported the US during the war. However, the rapidly changing situation in Afghanistan and the challenges of confirming the identities of those stranded have complicated these efforts.

The situation has caused distress for students and their families back home

The situation in Afghanistan has been distressing for students and their families, both those stranded in the country and those waiting for their loved ones to return. The students stranded in Afghanistan are facing significant challenges and dangers as they attempt to flee the country. Many have witnessed shootings and other violent incidents, and some have been unable to reach the airport due to the throngs of people desperately trying to escape. The situation has also caused anxiety and worry for those with loved ones stranded in Afghanistan, who are desperately seeking their safe return.

The students and their families became stranded in Afghanistan when they travelled to the country over the summer break to visit relatives. They were caught off guard by the sudden Taliban takeover and the ensuing chaos. Many of these families are refugees or immigrants from Afghanistan who had settled in the United States, particularly in the San Diego suburb of El Cajon, and had returned to their homeland to visit extended family. The students range from preschoolers to high schoolers and are enrolled in the Cajon Valley Union School District.

The situation has caused immense distress for both the stranded students and their families back home. Those stranded are facing difficulties in reaching the airport and navigating the dangerous conditions in the country. They are scared and worried about their safety, and their families are desperately seeking their safe return. The families have been in contact with school officials and government representatives, seeking assistance and support. The school district has offered counselling services to help students and families cope with the situation.

The situation has also caused distress for the families of the stranded students, who are worried about the safety of their loved ones. They have been working tirelessly to try to get them out of the country and are in constant communication with government officials and agencies. The uncertainty and danger that their loved ones are facing have taken a toll on the families, causing anxiety and worry. They are desperate for their safe return and are seeking any assistance that can help bring them home.

The situation has caused widespread distress and anxiety for all involved. The students and their families are facing a harrowing and dangerous situation, while their loved ones back home are desperately seeking their safe return. The school district and government agencies are working to provide support and assistance, but the situation remains challenging and uncertain. The emotional toll on all involved is significant, and the safe return of the stranded students and their families is of utmost importance.

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