Albania: the American future of Afghan refugees compromised by the Trump administration

In Albania, thousands of Afghans who fled their country to escape the Taliban’s stranglehold are in uncertainty while they await approval of the American visa.

The hope of the American dream

In the context of withdrawal from the American army from Afghanistan and Undercoming Taliban violencethe United States, under the leadership of President Biden, has widened the field of Afghan citizens at risk that could claim refugee status in the United States.

Employees and former press organs based in the United States have been included, as well as assistance and development agencies based in the United States and other rescue groups that receive American funds. Employees and former employees of the US government and NATO military operations who did not meet the criteria of a specific program for these workers were also covered.

However, this measure was accompanied by a major condition which considerably limited the number of people who could benefit from it: the applicants had to leave Afghanistan and start the selection procedure, which could last from 12 to 14 months in a third country, without Whether the United States does not support its departure or stay in this country.

More than 3,200 Afghans, many of whom had fulfilled the conditions required to obtain a special immigrant visa stay in Albania. Once there, they were interviewed and invited to provide the documents necessary to continue their request.

The administration of President Trump Rabat Cards

But from the first days of his mandate, President Trump’s administration announced that the American refugee admission program would be suspended from January 27 for at least three months. During this period, the White House said that the Homeland Security Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, will submit a report to the President on the question of whether the program resumes is in the interest of UNITED STATES.

Refugees who had been authorized to go to the United States before January 27 saw their travel projects canceled by the Trump administration. Among the people concerned are the most than 1,600 Afghans authorized to reinstall themselves in the United States. This number includes those who worked alongside the American soldiers during the war, as well as the members of the families of the American military in active service.

Many Afghan refugees in Albania still hope that Washington will hold its promise to welcome them, far from the oppressive regime of the Taliban.

Afghan refugees invited to “Integrate” In Albania

In Shengjin, a city located on the Adriatic coast about 70 kilometers northwest of Tirana, the Albanian capital, hundreds of Afghans received a temporary shelter after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021.

“I want the American government, the president, to have a good feeling about refugees”, said Hasibullah, an Afghan refugee. “Go to America, work there and earn some money or help our family not live in a dangerous area”he added.

A woman who agreed to be identified only under the name of Palwasha N. for fear of repercussions on her family in Afghanistan said that she could not go home. She said her visa was refused to her because she had failed to mention a training program in her request.

Palwasha said she had been summoned to a second interview to clarify her documents, but that she was told to “Integrate” in Albania.

“It is not easy for me to integrate myself into Albania. I do not know the Albanian. I was not brought here to integrate myself into Albania. And it is very difficult, even for the Albanians, To have a job and job possibilities in their own country. wonder.

Thousands of Afghans have stayed at Albanian tourist resorts along the Adriatic Sea. Member of NATO, Albania first agreed to host the Afghans on the run for a year before their final installation in the United States, then undertook to keep them longer if their visas were delayed.