US offers payments to Afghan refugees in Qatar for voluntary return amid criticism

The U.S. State Department has begun paying Afghans at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar to return home voluntarily.

More than 1,100 Afghans have been stranded at the former U.S. Army base 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 upon return.

Assistant Secretary of State S. Paul Kapur told lawmakers that roughly 150 Afghans have accepted payments of $4,500 for main applicants and $1,200 per additional family member, though third-country relocation options remain uncertain.

Veterans and advocacy groups, including AfghanEvac, have condemned the program as a betrayal of Afghan allies who assisted U.S. forces during the 20-year Afghanistan war. Democrats in Congress have criticized the payments as coercive, highlighting risks in Taliban-controlled areas.

Camp As Sayliyah has served as a temporary processing facility for Afghan evacuees. Prolonged delays have left refugees in limbo, exposing issues in U.S. migration policy and raising concerns over humanitarian obligations.

Observers warn that offering financial incentives without secure relocation plans undermines trust in U.S. commitments and endangers vulnerable Afghans.