U.S. Senators Urge Halt to Plan Relocating Afghan Refugees to Congo

Twenty-two United States senators have called on the Trump administration to stop a reported plan to transfer more than 1,000 Afghan refugees from Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a letter dated April 28 addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers warned that the proposed relocation could place vulnerable individuals at significant risk of persecution and violence.

The senators noted that approximately 1,100 vetted Afghan nationals who previously worked alongside U.S. forces remain stranded in a temporary camp in Qatar while awaiting permanent resettlement. Emphasizing the refugees’ prior service to American military and diplomatic missions, the signatories urged the administration to honor its longstanding commitments to provide safe passage and resettlement for these individuals. The letter highlighted growing humanitarian concerns surrounding the proposed transfer to Central Africa.

President Donald Trump recently stated that he was unaware of any official plan to relocate the refugees to the Congo. Despite this, the senators stressed that moving the group to a region with a history of instability would contradict U.S. obligations to protect former allies. They requested an immediate pause on the initiative and asked the State Department to clarify the administration’s position on the matter.

The letter underscores ongoing debates in Washington regarding the handling of Afghan evacuees who assisted U.S. operations prior to the 2021 withdrawal. Advocacy groups and lawmakers have repeatedly called for transparent and secure resettlement pathways for those who remain in temporary holding facilities abroad. The State Department has not yet issued a formal response to the senators’ request.