US Senators Urge Congress to Halt Relocation of Afghan Allies to Democratic Republic of Congo

Multiple United States senators are calling on Congress to intervene and stop a reported Trump administration plan to relocate approximately 1,100 Afghan wartime allies from a temporary camp in Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The proposal was initially detailed in a New York Times report and has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum.

The individuals currently housed in the Qatar facility are former interpreters, military advisors, and special operations personnel who worked with US forces during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan. They have been awaiting permanent resettlement in the United States.

Senator Jeff Merkley characterized the proposed relocation as "evil" and "wrong," citing the ongoing armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He argued that the destination lacks the necessary infrastructure and established Afghan diaspora communities to support the refugees. Senators Peter Welch and Bernie Sanders echoed these concerns, describing the plan as cruel and fundamentally at odds with American values. Both lawmakers emphasized that Congress must act to prevent the transfer.

Additional senators, including Tammy Duckworth, Tim Kaine, and Ed Markey, have also publicly opposed the initiative, joining refugee advocacy groups in urging the administration to reconsider. While Hasht-e Subh noted that the initial proposal also considered relocating the group to Afghanistan under Taliban control, Amu TV focused solely on the transfer to Central Africa.

Advocates stress that the affected individuals risked their lives supporting US military operations and are legally entitled to resettlement protections. Lawmakers are currently exploring legislative and diplomatic avenues to block the relocation and secure alternative pathways for the group to reach the United States.