83 U.S. Lawmakers Urge Halt to Afghan Refugee Relocation From Qatar to Congo

A bipartisan group of 83 U.S. lawmakers has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to suspend plans to relocate about 1,100 Afghan refugees from Qatar's Al Sailiya camp to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The request comes in a letter that calls for a full report to Congress before any such transfer proceeds.

The lawmakers specified that the report should cover the legal, technical, and humanitarian dimensions of the relocation plan. They set a deadline of June 24 for the submission of this information. The letter emphasizes the need for clarity on several key issues related to the move.

The refugees in question include many who assisted U.S. forces during their presence in Afghanistan. They were evacuated after the events of August 2021 and have been in Qatar for more than four years. Several U.S. immigration pathways for such individuals have been suspended, leaving them in limbo.

Efforts to find alternative locations for resettlement have included talks with countries in Central Africa. Rubio has acknowledged discussions with multiple nations about the situation of these Afghan refugees currently in Qatar. However, no official announcements have been made regarding any transfers to the Congo at this time.

The lawmakers' intervention highlights concerns over the proposed relocation and the lack of detailed information available to Congress. They seek assurances that all aspects of the plan have been thoroughly considered from legal and humanitarian standpoints.