Over 80 House lawmakers, including Republicans and Democrats, urged the Trump administration to halt plans to send 1,100 Afghan nationals who aided U.S. forces to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The lawmakers cited moral and national security imperatives, emphasizing the allies' service.
The lawmakers' appeal highlights a significant moral and national security debate regarding the U.S. commitment to Afghan allies, potentially impacting future international relations and the treatment of individuals who have aided U.S. operations abroad.
Dozens of U.S. lawmakers have urged the Trump administration to abandon plans to relocate Afghan nationals, who previously assisted U.S. forces, to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In a letter seen by Reuters, over 80 members of the House of Representatives, including both Democrats and at least three Republicans, appealed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reconsider the relocation of approximately 1,100 Afghans currently stranded in Qatar.
Democratic Congressman Jason Crow, a former Army Ranger, stated that it is a "moral and a national security imperative" for the U.S. to uphold its promises to those who risked their lives to help American forces. The Trump administration had been in discussions about sending these Afghans to the DRC, where they have remained in limbo for over four years since the U.S. withdrawal from Kabul.
The situation for Afghan nationals has become more challenging since late 2025, following an incident in Washington D.C. where an Afghan immigrant was accused of an attack that resulted in the death of a National Guard soldier and injuries to another. Following this event, the Trump administration cited concerns about the vetting process for Afghans and other foreign nationals during the previous administration, though the suspect in the D.C. incident had been granted asylum under Donald Trump. Trump had also signed an executive order restricting Afghan refugees, including those who worked with the military, from entering the U.S.
Support for programs like the Special Immigrant Visa, which facilitates the entry of Afghans who assisted American forces, has waned among many of Trump's Republican colleagues in Congress. During a congressional hearing last week, Rubio was questioned about the administration's continued plans to send Afghans to the DRC, even with an ongoing Ebola outbreak. He indicated that the U.S. was engaged in discussions with "multiple countries" regarding their potential acceptance of these individuals.
The lawmakers emphasized the critical support Afghan allies provided during the nearly two-decade U.S. mission in Afghanistan, noting their essential roles as interpreters, contractors, and security personnel who fought alongside American service members. The letter also proposed that some of these Afghan nationals be considered for entry into the United States.