Many Afghan students, forced to flee the Taliban regime, now face the grim prospect of returning home as U.S. aid and refugee admissions cease, jeopardizing their hard-earned education and safety.
Afghan Students Fear for Their Future Amid U.S. Aid Cuts
Afghan Students Fear for Their Future Amid U.S. Aid Cuts
Afghan students studying at the American University of Afghanistan in Qatar express concern over their safety and future as U.S. aid and visa options dwindle.
In the halls of the American University of Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar, anxiety hangs heavy among its students. They fear returning to their homeland where the Taliban has stripped away their rights, particularly for women, who are banned from pursuing education. Amid these challenges, many Afghan students, like Nilab, are trying to navigate their educational goals while coping with uncertainty and fear.
Nilab, 30, has turned to writing down her worries and pinning them to her dorm room wall. This technique stems from a mental health seminar she attended at the university’s former campus in Kabul. The situation has become precarious since former President Trump's administration halted foreign aid and refugee admissions, leaving many students feeling abandoned. This cutoff struck at a crucial moment for Nilab, who was completing her final cybersecurity project when this decision was made.
Having escaped Afghanistan in July 2023, she now finds herself torn. While representing hope for education in a new environment, the threat of having to return to a life of oppression looms large. "How can girls go back to Afghanistan?” Nilab questions. “What will happen to us? Rape, forced marriage, and death." There was a time she trusted she would find refuge in the United States alongside her family, who secured asylum after the Taliban’s return. Now, however, that path seems blocked, leaving her in a state of fear and helplessness.
With the future uncertain, she and her classmates grapple with the grim prospects of resettlement and safety, hoping that their voices will reach those who can affect change. The situation embodies the harsh realities facing many Afghan students forced to find new beginnings in the absence of U.S. support, highlighting the stakes involved in America’s foreign aid policies.
