Trump Administration Reportedly Plans to Send Afghan Allies to Congo Instead of U.S.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering sending hundreds of Afghan refugees who aided U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of Congo instead of resettling them in America as previously promised, according to advocacy groups familiar with the discussions.

The Controversial Plan

Shawn VanDiver, president of the San Diego-based advocacy group AfghanEvac, revealed he had been briefed on the DRC plan by multiple State Department officials. The proposal involves relocating approximately 1,100 Afghans currently housed at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, many of whom have already been approved for U.S. settlement after extensive security screening.

"This is insane," VanDiver told NBC News, criticizing the administration's approach. "You do not solve the world's number one refugee crisis by dumping it into the world's number two."

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with over 600,000 refugees already present due to decades of armed conflict. The country struggles to support its existing refugee population, primarily from neighboring Rwanda and the Central African Republic.

Background on the Afghan Refugees

The Afghans at Camp As Sayliyah include former members of Afghan special forces, interpreters who worked with U.S. military personnel, and others whose collaboration with American forces puts them at risk of Taliban persecution. More than 400 of those at the camp are children, and many have been waiting months or years to reunite with family members already in the United States.

These individuals were evacuated to Qatar following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, with the understanding they would eventually be resettled in America. Most have completed extensive security screenings and received approval for U.S. settlement.

Administration's Immigration Crackdown

As part of President Trump's broader immigration crackdown, the administration has blocked virtually all pathways to the U.S. for Afghan allies. This represents a significant shift from the previous period when more than 190,000 Afghan allies were resettled in America from August 2021 through mid-2025.

The restrictions were further tightened following a November shooting in Washington that killed one National Guard member and seriously injured another. The suspect was identified as an Afghan national who had previously served alongside U.S. troops.

Critics Raise Security Concerns

Advocates argue that the administration's treatment of Afghan allies could harm U.S. national security by discouraging local populations from cooperating with American forces in future conflicts. The uncertainty surrounding these refugees' fate has reportedly taken a severe toll on their mental well-being.

"They're reaching their breaking point," VanDiver said, emphasizing that nothing prevents the administration from bringing the security-cleared Afghans to the U.S. as originally promised.

State Department Response

A State Department spokesperson described the effort to move residents to a third country as "a positive resolution that provides safety for these remaining people to start a new life outside of Afghanistan while upholding the safety and security of the American people."

However, the department declined to provide additional details about ongoing negotiations, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.

The Broader Context

VanDiver indicated that the Trump administration has been negotiating with dozens of countries, many in Africa, to accept the Afghans currently in Qatar. These discussions are reportedly complicated by other administration actions, including travel bans and visa bond requirements for citizens of many of the same countries.

The situation highlights the complex challenges facing the administration as it attempts to balance immigration enforcement with America's obligations to those who risked their lives supporting U.S. military operations abroad.

Critics argue that sending these Afghan allies to the DRC—a country experiencing civil war and humanitarian crisis—amounts to a "false choice" between potential persecution in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and uncertainty in an unstable Central African nation with no existing Afghan community or support systems.