afghanistan Refugees in the U.S. Grapple with Uncertain Future Amid Congressional Debates

Afghan refugees residing in the United States are increasingly anxious about their prospects as their temporary relief statuses expire. Two years after their arrival, many remain in limbo while awaiting their permanent residency decisions. One such refugee is Farzana Jamalzada, who fled Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, fearing repercussions due to her association with the U.S. government. Seeking refuge in the U.S., she settled in New York City, securing a job with a charitable organization that assisted with rent and other essential expenses. However, her work permit, along with that of her husband Farhad, expired at the end of August. They now face uncertainty as they await immigration interviews for their applications for permanent residency.

"We genuinely don't have substantial savings," she explained. "If we lose our insurance or benefits, what will our options be? Health insurance here is exorbitantly expensive."

An infant is handed over to American troops over the airport parapet for evacuation, in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 19 [File: Omar Haidari/via Reuters]

The predicament with immigration paperwork is shared by over 70,000 Afghan evacuees who arrived in the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome since 2021. Many, including Jamalzada and her husband, were granted "humanitarian parole," allowing them a two-year stay and work permit in the U.S. In June, President Joe Biden's administration extended humanitarian parole for another two years, but it remains a temporary solution.

A bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, veterans, and U.S. activists is pushing Congress to establish a direct pathway to permanent residency and citizenship for Afghan citizens through the Afghan Adjustment Act. However, the bill has yet to garner significant support in the Republican-led House of Representatives and has encountered obstacles in the Senate, where Democrats maintain a slim majority.

For Afghan citizens who entered the U.S. via humanitarian parole, discerning the route to permanent status has proven challenging, as explained by Danilo Zak, the director of policy and advocacy at Church World Service, a refugee assistance organization.

"Numerous Afghans either lack the financial means or encounter barriers in securing immigration assistance," Zak noted.

Unlike some others, Jamalzada and her husband are eligible for permanent residency due to their roles in aiding the U.S. government. Their responsibilities made them eligible to apply for Special Immigrant Visas, typically designated for interpreters, translators, and individuals who provided support during the U.S.'s two-decade military presence in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, the rapid U.S. evacuation from Afghanistan meant that Jamalzada had to leave before her visa could be fully processed.

To secure permanent residency, often referred to as a green card, the couple is slated for a government interview on September 12. This will render them ineligible to work for nearly two weeks.

Jamalzada expressed her hope that Congress would establish a more direct path to permanent status for Afghan citizens, providing a sense of security for her friends and family already in the U.S. "One can never predict what the future holds," she emphasized.