Afghanistan, Feb. 12 -- The U.S. State Department has started paying Afghans stranded in Qatar to return home, prompting warnings from veterans and advocates about betrayal.
According to Reuters, more than 1,100 Afghans have been stranded at Camp As Sayliyah, a former U.S. Army base in Qatar, since early 2025 after resettlement programs halted under the Trump administration.
The group includes civilian refugees, women who served as U.S. special operations personnel, and family members of U.S. servicemembers, many of whom face security risks if returned.
Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur told lawmakers that roughly 150 Afghans have accepted payments, which reportedly include $4,500 for main applicants and $1,200 per additional fa...