Green Card Holders In Afghanistan: Unveiling A Hidden Population

Following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, there are conflicting reports about the number of green card holders left in the country. Rescue groups have stated that there are hundreds, and possibly thousands, of green card holders stranded in Afghanistan. However, the Biden administration has not provided an official estimate of this number. An Associated Press correspondent has stated that the lack of an estimate defies logic.

Hundreds of green card holders were left in Afghanistan after the US evacuation

The evacuation efforts were chaotic and deadly, and many green card holders felt abandoned by the US government. They had received instructions to stay put and not attempt to go to the airport, and some were even told they would be picked up in a car. However, these promises of evacuation were not kept, and many were left stranded.

One green card holder from Richmond, Virginia, Javed Habibi, said that the US government had called him multiple times telling him not to worry and that his family would be evacuated. However, he was left in Kabul along with his wife and four daughters, all green card holders except for their youngest, who has a US passport. Habibi said, "What does this green card even mean? Nothing. They did nothing."

Another green card holder family from Sacramento, California, which includes a mother, father, and three children, has been on the run for two weeks after the Taliban came knocking on their door. They have been moving from house to house, taking turns sleeping, and keeping the lights off at night. The mother said, "We are scared and keep hiding ourselves more and more... Whenever we feel breathless, I pray."

The Biden administration has said that it is still working to get US citizens and green card holders out of Afghanistan and that they will be contacted individually with instructions on how to leave. However, many of those left behind are skeptical and concerned that the evacuation efforts have stalled.

Refugee groups estimate the number of green card holders left could be in the thousands

Refugee groups estimate that the number of green card holders left in Afghanistan could be in the thousands. Rescue groups have stated that hundreds, and possibly thousands, of green card holders have been left behind in Afghanistan. The Biden administration has estimated that between 100 and 200 American citizens remain in Afghanistan following the completion of the US evacuation mission. However, they have not provided an estimate of the number of green card holders left in the country.

Veteran-led rescue groups working to get people out of Afghanistan have stated that the figures provided by the Biden administration overlook the hundreds of green card holders who are still in the country. These green cards grant their holders permanent residence in the US.

One rescue group, in particular, is in contact with a family of green card holders who are unable to get out of Afghanistan. Howard Shen, a spokesman for the Cajon Valley Union School District in the San Diego area, has expressed concern that no one is looking for these individuals. He has stated that these individuals are "thousands of miles away under an oppressive regime" and that the US is "leaving them behind".

Green card holders were told to stay put and not go to the airport

Green card holders in Afghanistan were told to stay put and not go to the airport. This was due to the dangerous situation in the country at the time, with the Taliban taking control of Kabul airport.

The US government was working to evacuate its citizens and green card holders from Afghanistan. However, there were concerns that many green card holders had been left behind. Rescue groups stated that hundreds, and possibly thousands, of green card holders were still in the country.

The situation was particularly dangerous for those attempting to reach Kabul airport. There were reports of gunfire, and one family had to flee the airport just before the last US flight left amid tear gas and gunfire.

US citizens and green card holders in Afghanistan were advised not to attempt to travel to the airport due to the significant risks involved. It was recommended that they stay put and await further instructions on evacuation routes.

Green card holders who were evacuated faced additional challenges upon their return to the US. They were subjected to questioning and searches by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at airports. While green card holders had the right to refuse to answer questions beyond those related to identity and permanent residency, refusal could result in delays.

CBP officers had the authority to revoke green cards if they believed that the holder had abandoned their permanent residency in the US. This could occur if the individual had been outside the country for an extended period, typically more than 180 days or one year. Therefore, green card holders returning to the US after evacuation from Afghanistan may have faced scrutiny and potential revocation of their green cards.

The US government has pledged to help green card holders left in Afghanistan

The Biden administration has been criticised for its handling of the evacuation process from Afghanistan, with some claiming that the US government has forgotten about green card holders. However, the US government has stated that it has been in touch with all American citizens left in Afghanistan and that it will help any green card holder who wishes to leave Afghanistan.

The evacuation process from Afghanistan has been challenging, with heavy gunfire and crowds of people making it difficult for people to get to the airport. In addition, the Taliban has been celebrating what they see as their victory over America, which has further complicated the evacuation process.

The US government's pledge to help green card holders left in Afghanistan includes providing personalised instructions on how to safely depart the country. The US government has also stated that it will help green card holders obtain the necessary travel documents, such as visas and passports. Overall, the US government has committed to ensuring the safe evacuation of all American citizens and green card holders from Afghanistan.

Some green card holders felt forgotten by the US government

The Biden administration's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan left hundreds of US citizens and green card holders stranded in the war-torn country. While the administration has been in touch with the remaining US citizens, it has not provided an estimate of the number of green card holders left behind.

Associated Press correspondent Matt Lee questioned State Department spokesman Ned Price about the lack of information on green card holders. Lee said it "defies logic" that officials have not been able to provide an estimate of the number of green card holders left in Afghanistan. He reminded Price that the US government has a responsibility towards green card holders, stating that many of them felt like they "got screwed" and "were lied to". Lee also pointed out that reporters had heard from green card holders who were instructed to stay put and not attempt to reach the airport.

Howard Shen, a spokesman for the Cajon Valley Union School District in the San Diego area, shared concerns about a family of green card holders who said they were unable to get out of Afghanistan. Shen highlighted the sense of abandonment felt by those stranded, saying, "They are thousands of miles away under an oppressive regime, and we're leaving them behind. That's not right."

The exact number of green card holders left in Afghanistan is unclear, but it is believed to be in the hundreds or possibly even thousands.

Frequently asked questions