The Unlikely Expatriates: Americans Choosing Life In Afghanistan

As of May 2024, there are still Americans living in Afghanistan. In the aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, the US government has been working to evacuate its citizens from the country. While the majority of Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan have been evacuated, there are still some who remain in the country. The number of Americans still in Afghanistan is estimated to be between 100 and 200, with some held captive by the Taliban. The US government has faced criticism for its handling of the evacuation process and for breaking promises to leave no American citizens behind. The State Department has maintained that they are committed to relocating Americans and providing necessary assistance.

Americans held captive by the Taliban

Americans have been held captive by the Taliban on numerous occasions, often as part of a systematic roundup of foreign nationals, including Europeans, by the group. The Taliban have a history of holding Westerners hostage to trade for political advantage.

U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was held captive by the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani network for five years after he deserted his base in southern Afghanistan in 2009. He was eventually released in May 2014 in exchange for five Taliban operatives who had been held at Guantanamo Bay.

In 2016, professors Kevin King and Timothy John Weeks were kidnapped by the Taliban while travelling in Kabul. They were released in November 2019 as part of a prisoner swap.

In 2020, U.S. Navy veteran and contractor Mark Frerichs was kidnapped by the Taliban and held hostage for over two and a half years. He was released in September 2022 as part of a prisoner exchange. During his captivity, Frerichs was subjected to physical abuse and kept in brutal conditions, including being chained up and kept in a room with a dirt floor.

In addition to these high-profile cases, there have been several other instances of Americans being held captive by the Taliban. For example, in 2012, Caitlan Connemara Coleman, an American, was kidnapped along with her Canadian husband Joshua Ainslie Boyle. They were held captive for five years and had three children during this time. They were eventually rescued by Pakistani forces in 2017.

The exact number of Americans currently held captive by the Taliban is unclear, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that "several" U.S. citizens are prisoners of the group. However, sources suggest the number could be higher, with one source claiming that the U.S. government is in contact with about 175 Americans in Afghanistan, 44 of whom are ready to leave.

Americans who want to leave Afghanistan

The Taliban has stated that it will not prevent Americans and other individuals with valid travel documents from departing Afghanistan. However, it is important to note that evacuation flights have been grounded by the Taliban for about a month, and it is unclear when they will resume.

If you are an American citizen in Afghanistan who wants to leave, it is recommended that you:

• Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate outside of Afghanistan for assistance. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul has suspended operations, and the U.S. government is unable to provide emergency consular services within the country.
• Evacuate the country via commercial means if it is possible to do so safely.
• Send an email to [email protected] with your complete biographic details, contact information (including email and phone number), and U.S. passport number.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and ensure that you can be located in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter for the latest information and travel advisories.
• Stay aware of your surroundings and keep up to date with local security developments at all times.
• Notify a trusted person of your travel and movement plans.
• Make contingency plans for departure that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.

It is important to note that the security situation in Afghanistan is unpredictable and dangerous, with multiple terrorist groups actively targeting U.S. citizens for kidnapping and wrongful detention. The Taliban has harassed and detained aid and humanitarian workers, and foreigners may be viewed with suspicion. Even individuals registered with the appropriate authorities to conduct business are at a high risk of detention, and the Taliban does not regularly permit welfare checks on detained U.S. citizens.

The U.S. government is committed to helping Americans leave Afghanistan and is working with partners such as Qatar to facilitate relocation efforts. However, there are challenges to these efforts, including the Taliban's demands for seats on flights for their officials and requirements for all passengers to have visas for their destination countries.

Americans who want to stay in Afghanistan

In the final hours before the Aug. 31, 2021 deadline for the U.S. military to withdraw from Afghanistan, the State Department estimated that roughly 350 American citizens who wanted to leave remained in the country. However, the number of Americans who were undecided about leaving or wanted to stay was likely higher. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that they were trying to track down around 1,000 American citizens who had not responded to offers of evacuation. Blinken noted that some of these individuals might have already left the country, might not actually be American citizens, or might have chosen to stay for various reasons.

Several hundred American citizens in Afghanistan had not decided whether to leave despite an "ongoing aggressive outreach campaign" by the U.S. government. Some of these individuals were changing their minds multiple times a day, making it difficult for officials to determine their status and intentions. Among those who were undecided or chose to stay, various factors came into play. Some were dual citizens who considered Afghanistan their home, had lived there for extended periods, or wanted to remain close to extended family. For others, political alignment with the Taliban or strong family ties played a role in their decision to stay.

Vicki Aken, an American running the International Rescue Committee's office in Kabul, chose to stay in Afghanistan to support the organization's staff, most of whom were Afghans. She felt a responsibility to stand with them during this tumultuous time and provide a sense of continued care and commitment. Aken's decision reflects the complex dynamics and personal considerations that Americans faced when deciding whether to stay or leave Afghanistan.

While the U.S. government actively facilitated the evacuation of its citizens from Afghanistan, the presence of Americans who chose to remain highlights the multifaceted nature of this issue. Personal connections, cultural ties, and a sense of duty influenced the decisions of these individuals, underscoring the intricate dynamics at play during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The US pledge to leave no citizen behind

In an interview with ABC News on August 18, 2021, Biden said:

> "If there are American citizens left [in Afghanistan on August 31] who want to leave...we're gonna stay to get them all out."

However, the last US soldier departed Afghanistan before all American citizens who wanted to leave could be evacuated.

Estimates vary on the number of Americans left behind in Afghanistan. In August 2021, Biden stated that "100 to 200 Americans" remained in the country with the intention to leave. A White House transcript later corrected this figure, stating that 98% of Americans who wanted to leave Afghanistan were evacuated during Operation Allies Refuge—implying that 196 Americans were left behind.

Other sources, including a State Department spokesperson, put the number at 100. One Republican lawmaker suggested the figure was much higher, with thousands of Americans stranded.

Evacuation Efforts

Since the US withdrawal, the US government has continued its efforts to evacuate American citizens from Afghanistan. As of May 2024, more than 800 American citizens have been evacuated, with the State Department remaining in touch with hundreds of Americans who still want to leave.

The evacuation process has been challenging due to grounded flights and demands from the Taliban. The Taliban has required that everyone on flights out of the country have a visa for their destination country, and they have also demanded seats on flights for their officials.

Criticism of Biden Administration

The Biden administration has faced criticism from Republicans and some Democrats for not upholding the pledge to leave no citizen behind. They have also been criticized for leaving behind thousands of Afghans who aided US forces and were eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).

The administration has defended its actions, stating that no one was abandoned and that they continue to work on evacuating citizens. They have emphasized their commitment to helping Americans and those to whom they have a commitment, and they have facilitated the departure of American citizens and green card holders since the withdrawal.

The number of Americans evacuated from Afghanistan

According to various sources, the number of Americans evacuated from Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover ranges from several hundred to several thousand. Here is a timeline of the reported evacuation numbers:

• As of August 18, 2021, the US had evacuated approximately 7,000 people from Kabul, according to CBS News. This number included Americans and Afghans employed by the US.
• By August 31, 2021, the end of the frantic US evacuation effort, roughly 6,000 Americans had been evacuated from Afghanistan, according to US officials. This number was confirmed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
• In a September 2021 speech, President Joe Biden stated that about 100 to 200 Americans remained in Afghanistan with the intention to leave.
• By February 2022, the US had evacuated a total of 479 Americans from Afghanistan, according to a Senate Foreign Relations Committee report.
• As of May 2024, the US government has evacuated more than 800 American citizens since the Taliban takeover, according to data provided by House GOP investigators and the State Department.

It is important to note that the evacuation efforts have been ongoing, and the numbers may have changed since these reports were published. Additionally, the total number of Americans evacuated includes those transported by US military aircraft as well as those who left through other means, such as privately funded organisations.

The evacuation of US citizens and vulnerable Afghans has been a complex and challenging task, with issues such as travel documents, Taliban demands, and safety concerns creating obstacles. The Biden administration has emphasised its commitment to helping Americans and vulnerable individuals leave Afghanistan, utilising diplomatic means and working with partner countries to facilitate evacuations.

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