Left Behind: The Plight Of American Citizens Stranded In Afghanistan

The US State Department has faced scrutiny for its handling of the evacuation of US citizens and green card holders from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover in August 2021. While the State Department initially reported that there were around 100 US citizens seeking to leave the country, that number has since grown to several hundred, with some estimates placing the figure at 9,000. The Biden administration has been criticised for its failure to properly plan and coordinate the evacuation, with thousands of US residents left stranded in the country facing increasingly desperate circumstances.

The number of US citizens stranded in Afghanistan is unclear

However, a US Senate report places the number of stranded Americans at 9,000, with only 6,000 evacuated during the chaotic Kabul evacuation. This report also claims that the US Department of State confirmed 363 US citizens left behind in October 2021, contradicting the State Department's earlier figure.

The discrepancy in numbers may be due to the difficulty in tracking and constantly shifting nature of the situation, as well as the fact that the State Department does not require Americans and legal permanent residents travelling abroad to report their whereabouts. Additionally, the State Department has prioritised the evacuation of US citizens over legal permanent residents and green card holders, further complicating the matter.

The Biden administration has faced criticism for its handling of the evacuation process, with lawmakers and refugee advocates arguing that the White House failed to plan adequately for a large-scale evacuation. The administration has rejected this criticism, stating that the president moved troops into the region to assist with evacuations and that military commanders did not raise objections to the planning.

The situation is further complicated by the Taliban's demands and the need for visas for all individuals on evacuation flights, including Afghans. The US is committed to continuing relocation efforts and providing support to Americans and vulnerable Afghans still in the country.

Evacuation flights have been grounded by the Taliban

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has resulted in a dire situation for thousands of American citizens and green card holders stranded in the country. The Taliban have grounded evacuation flights, preventing the safe departure of those seeking to leave. This has led to a humanitarian crisis, with individuals and families facing immense challenges in their attempts to flee.

In the aftermath of the Taliban's rapid advance and the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the United States and its allies scrambled to evacuate their citizens and vulnerable Afghans. However, the evacuation efforts were chaotic and fell short of their goals. As of January 2022, it was reported that evacuation flights had been grounded by the Taliban for about a month, leaving around 80 Americans stranded and seeking a way out. The State Department confirmed its commitment to relocating these citizens but provided no clear timeline for when flights would resume.

The situation on the ground in Afghanistan has been characterized by uncertainty and danger. Negotiations between the Taliban and various organizations, such as the State Department and NGOs, have been challenging. The Taliban have made demands, including requiring visas for all passengers, even Afghans, and requesting seats on flights for their officials. These demands have complicated the evacuation process and caused further delays.

The number of Americans stranded in Afghanistan has been a subject of debate, with estimates ranging from a few hundred to several thousand. Lawmakers and critics have accused the State Department of failing to properly plan and coordinate evacuation efforts, as well as lacking transparency in reporting the numbers of those left behind. The State Department, on the other hand, has defended its actions and asserted its commitment to assisting Americans and vulnerable Afghans.

The grounding of evacuation flights by the Taliban has had severe consequences for those desperate to leave. Many Afghans with ties to the U.S. have been left in perilous circumstances, facing persecution, economic deprivation, and a lack of access to basic necessities. The Taliban's control of the airports and bureaucratic obstacles have made it increasingly difficult for individuals and organizations to facilitate safe departures.

The international community has been working to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and find ways to support those stranded. However, the Taliban's demands and unpredictable actions have created a complex and challenging environment for evacuation efforts.

The US State Department faces criticism for its handling of the situation

The US State Department has faced intense scrutiny for its handling of the evacuation of US citizens and residents from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover. The evacuation process has been described as ""chaotic", with the State Department accused of being too slow to release specific numbers on how many citizens, legal permanent residents, and green card holders remained in the country and wanted to leave.

In the aftermath of the US withdrawal, the State Department repeatedly stated that there were around 100 US citizens in Afghanistan seeking to leave. However, this number was later revised upwards, with the State Department revealing that there were around 400 citizens still in the country. This lack of clarity and apparent obfuscation has frustrated lawmakers and led to accusations that the administration is failing in its duty to keep track of and publicly disclose the number of people left behind.

The State Department's response to the evacuation of US citizens and residents has been criticised as slow and inadequate. Lawmakers have expressed concern about the lack of a comprehensive evacuation plan, with Senator Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stating that the Biden Administration failed to properly plan a coordinated evacuation despite warnings about the Taliban's capabilities. The State Department has prioritised the evacuation of US citizens over legal permanent residents and green card holders, further contributing to the criticism it has faced.

The evacuation of Afghans who worked with US forces and those at risk due to their association with the US has also been a significant source of criticism for the State Department. The US has been accused of leaving behind thousands of Afghan allies, with estimates ranging from 78,000 to 18,000. The evacuation of Afghans has been hampered by bureaucratic red tape, with the US requiring Afghan applicants to undergo medical exams and in-person interviews, even as the US Embassy in Kabul remains closed. The Biden administration has rejected criticism of its handling of the evacuation, asserting that the president moved troops into the region to assist and that military commanders did not raise objections to the planning.

The US State Department's handling of the evacuation and its response to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan have been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism. The department has been accused of a lack of transparency, inadequate planning, and failing to prioritise the evacuation of all those at risk. As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, the State Department faces ongoing pressure to address these criticisms and demonstrate its commitment to assisting US citizens, residents, and Afghan allies still in the country.

Afghans who worked with US forces are also stranded

The US withdrawal from Afghanistan has left thousands of Afghans who worked with US forces stranded in the country. Many of these individuals and their families are now at risk of persecution and economic deprivation under Taliban rule.

The exact number of Afghans left behind is unclear, but estimates range from tens of thousands to nearly 100,000 when including family members. The US government has faced criticism for failing to plan a large-scale evacuation of these individuals, who now face an uncertain future.

The Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program was established to help resettle Afghans at risk due to their work with the US military. However, the process of applying for a visa is lengthy and cumbersome, and many applicants have faced long delays. In addition, the US Embassy in Kabul has closed, making it difficult for those seeking to leave the country.

The situation for those left behind is dire, with reports of Afghans going without food and struggling to find work. The Taliban is also targeting individuals who worked with US forces, with some being imprisoned, questioned, or even killed.

The US government has evacuated some Afghans who worked with US forces, but the number is relatively small compared to those still stranded. Private groups and aid organizations have stepped in to provide support, but the future remains uncertain for thousands of Afghans who risked their lives to help the United States.

The Taliban's rule has led to desperate circumstances for those left behind

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has had devastating consequences for those left behind, including both Afghans and foreign nationals. The country is facing a rapid economic decline, food insecurity, and a hunger crisis, with over 17 million people facing acute hunger and up to 6 million at risk of famine. The situation is especially dire for women and girls, who have been systematically excluded from public life and face severe restrictions on their education, employment, and movement.

For Afghans with ties to the US who were unable to evacuate, the circumstances are dire. A report by the nonprofit Association of Wartime Allies found that those left behind face persecution, economic deprivation, and imprisonment under Taliban rule. The report surveyed nearly 4,000 special immigrant visa applicants, and 30% reported being imprisoned, while 52% had been stopped and questioned. The economic situation is also dire, with 88% reporting job loss and 94% experiencing financial hardship. Over 70% of respondents had gone without food at least once in the previous month, and nearly 20% had gone without meals ten times.

The Taliban's restrictions on women and girls have been particularly harsh. They have been banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade and barred from working most jobs outside the home. Women's movement and appearance in public are heavily restricted, and they are banned from travelling long distances without a male chaperone. As a result, decades of progress on gender equality and women's rights have been erased in just a few months.

The situation is also challenging for foreign nationals attempting to leave the country. Evacuation flights for Americans have been grounded by the Taliban, and it is unclear when they will resume. The Taliban have demanded that all passengers, including Afghans, have visas for their destination countries, and have also requested seats on flights for Taliban officials.

The Taliban's rule has led to a desperate situation for those left behind in Afghanistan. Afghans with ties to the US face persecution and economic deprivation, while the country as a whole grapples with food insecurity and economic decline. Women and girls are particularly affected, as the Taliban have systematically excluded them from public life and severely restricted their rights. Foreign nationals attempting to leave the country face obstacles and uncertainty as evacuation flights remain grounded.

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