Trump administration considers relocating Afghans to Congo amid resettlement halt

The Trump administration is in discussions to potentially send up to 1,100 Afghans who assisted US forces during the Afghanistan war to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as confirmed by a non-profit on Tuesday. This development follows Trump's decision to stop an initiative that allowed these Afghans to apply for resettlement in the United States.

The group of over 1,000 Afghans, currently in Qatar, includes interpreters and relatives of US military members, with more than 400 children among them. These individuals were evacuated to Qatar for their safety after the US military withdrawal, which left Afghanistan under Taliban control. According to the UN Refugee Agency, the DRC is facing a significant displacement crisis, with 8.2 million people displaced as of September 2025.

Shawn VanDiver, president of the non-profit AfghanEvac, stated that 900 of the 1,100 Afghans in Qatar are eligible for resettlement in the US. He emphasized that the situation could be resolved easily through a policy change, allowing these Afghans to enter the US. VanDiver noted that between 100 to 150 of these individuals are family members of active-duty service members, while over 700 are women and children.

The state department has indicated it is exploring options for voluntary resettlement for the Afghans at Camp As-Sayliyah in Qatar, asserting that moving them to a third country could be a positive resolution for their safety. However, the spokesperson acknowledged that these Afghan nationals do not currently have a viable pathway to the US. The ongoing discussions may not lead to actual resettlement, leaving the Afghans in a precarious situation, as returning to Afghanistan could result in severe consequences for them.

Power Read: The potential relocation of these Afghans to the DRC highlights a shift in US policy regarding its allies in Afghanistan. While the DRC is facing its own humanitarian crises, this move could relieve the US of its obligations to these individuals while placing them in a country that is ill-equipped to handle additional refugees. This situation exposes the vulnerabilities of the Afghans who supported US efforts, as their safety remains uncertain. The Trump administration's decision to halt the resettlement initiative reveals a strategic pivot that prioritizes domestic policy over international commitments.

What to watch: The outcome of the discussions regarding the relocation of Afghans to the DRC and any potential policy changes from the Department of Homeland Security.