Afghan Students in Qatar Fear Return to Taliban-Ruled Afghanistan
Afghan students at the American University in Qatar, fleeing Taliban rule, face anxiety over potential forced repatriation due to U.S. policy changes under the Trump administration. Student Nilab articulates deep fears about the repercussions for women in Afghanistan. The recent suspension of refugee resettlement has dashed their hopes of a safer future in the U.S.
The Afghan students at the American University of Afghanistan in Qatar are facing immense fear and uncertainty due to the cessation of aid and visa processing by the Trump administration. The upheaval following the Taliban’s takeover has forced them to flee, but the recent cutbacks threaten their hopes of a stable future. Nilab, a 30-year-old student, utilizes a coping mechanism where she writes down her worries on notes, which she pins to her wall, a practice she adopted during her time in Kabul.
Since relocating to the university’s campus-in-exile in Qatar, Nilab expresses deep concern about the dire consequences facing women if they are required to return to Afghanistan. She envisions a horrific scenario of oppression, stating, “How can girls go back to Afghanistan? What will happen to us? Rape, forced marriage and death.” This anxiety is compounded by the U.S. government’s recent decisions which interrupted the prior promise of refugee status that had given students like her a semblance of hope.
On January 20, as she was finalizing her cybersecurity project, President Trump issued an executive order that paused refugee resettlement processes affecting Nilab and her peers. She explained how this abrupt change shattered her dreams of reconnecting with her family, who found asylum in the United States after the Taliban’s resurgence. The situation remains precarious for these students, whose futures hang in the balance due to international policy decisions.
In summary, Afghan students at the American University in Qatar, such as Nilab, are grappling with fears of returning to a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan due to halted U.S. aid and refugee processing. The trauma of past oppression looms large, intensifying their anxiety about the future. With recent executive actions dismantling the prospect of safety and asylum, they face a daunting and uncertain path forward.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
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