US Lawmakers Press Administration for Answers on Afghan Families in Qatar
DID Press: A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has expressed concern over the living conditions of more than 1,000 Afghan nationals at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, urging the Trump administration to clarify the status of their immigration cases, plans for resettlement in the United States, and access to healthcare and education for women and children.
In a joint letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin, the lawmakers raised concerns about the living, medical and educational conditions facing Afghan families at the camp.
The letter was initiated by Representatives Yassamin Ansari and Don Bacon and received support from 20 other members of Congress from both the Republican and Democratic parties. It was sent on October 30.
The lawmakers said the families had been evacuated from Afghanistan with the understanding that their stay at Camp As Sayliyah would be temporary and that they would be transferred to the United States after completing the necessary immigration and security screening. However, several years later, many remain in Qatar without a clear decision on their future.
The letter requests detailed information about the availability and quality of healthcare, particularly maternity and paediatric services, as well as access to regular education for school-aged children.
The lawmakers also sought clarification on the processing of refugee admission applications under the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), including Priority 1 (P-1) and Priority 2 (P-2) cases, as well as family reunification applications.
According to the letter, the Departments of State and Homeland Security have until November 27 to provide information on healthcare and educational services, the number of pending immigration cases, and the possibility of renewing required documents and completing medical examinations.
According to information provided by some camp residents, at least 100 Afghan children have been born at the facility, with some spending the early years of their lives there.
Shawn VanDiver, president and founder of AfghanEvac, has also said that more than 1,000 Afghan allies of the United States remain at Camp As Sayliyah awaiting a decision on their future. He said women and children make up most of the camp’s population, which also includes family members of US military personnel.