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ISLAMABAD: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers during a congressional hearing that the United States is continuing discussions with several countries to resettle more than 1,000 Afghans who assisted US forces and remain stranded abroad, according to a report by Kabul Tribune.&nbsp; Rubio said the administration is engaging with multiple governments to identify solutions for Afghan allies, many of whom have been waiting in Qatar for more than a year as immigration restrictions limit their entry into the United States. While defending the administration&#39;s refugee policies, Rubio said no final decisions have been made regarding relocation destinations. He added that responsibility for resettling the affected Afghans would likely be shared among several countries rather than handled by a single nation. US officials have discussed potential resettlement arrangements with countries including Botswana and Malaysia as they seek options for those awaiting permanent relocation. The issue drew scrutiny from lawmakers during the hearing. Rep. Grace Meng, a Democrat from New York, questioned why Afghan allies who had previously undergone US vetting procedures have not been admitted despite commitments made.&nbsp; Advocacy groups warned that returning the refugees to Afghanistan could expose them to retaliation by the Taliban because of their past support for the American military. Proposals to relocate some Afghans to other conflict-affected regions have also faced criticism from humanitarian organizations. Rubio said the administration remains committed to finding solutions but emphasized that current directives restrict the admission of many Afghans into the United States. Rubio also defended broader refugee policies, including the admission of white South Africans, saying immigration decisions are guided by US national interests and the ability of newcomers to integrate into American society. The debate over the future of Afghan allies remains ongoing as policymakers weigh humanitarian obligations against immigration and national security considerations.

The hearing was held to examine the State Department's budget request for fiscal year 2027. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Kevin Dietsch / NORTH AMERICA / AFP)

Afghanistan

The US is negotiating with multiple countries to resettle over 1,000 stranded Afghan allies as immigration restrictions continue to delay their entry into America.

US seeks third-country resettlement options for Afghan allies: Rubio

Muhammad Usman Amin

ISLAMABAD: Germany Federal Ministry of the Interior Spokesperson Elena Singer stated on Wednesday, in an exclusive comment to Pakistan TV Digital, that it has held talks with Afghanistan&rsquo;s de facto authorities to establish a formal process for deporting Afghan nationals.&nbsp;Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, the ministry spokesperson confirmed that discussions were held at a technical level with Kabul&rsquo;s de facto authorities to create a structured mechanism for deporting Afghan migrants from Germany.&nbsp;This development follows recent reports that Germany had offered certain Afghan individuals in Pakistan, who had been shortlisted for asylum in Germany. This includes a sum of &euro;1,500 to forgo relocation to Germany and remain in Pakistan, or &euro;5,000 to return to Afghanistan, a move that has caused dismay among asylum hopefuls.&nbsp;In an official statement to Pakistan TV Digital, the spokesperson confirmed the new government&rsquo;s policy to repatriate Afghan citizens, a move signaling a controversial engagement with the Taliban.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Federal Government is currently holding talks with the Afghan de facto authorities in order to establish a return mechanism that will allow the regular repatriation of Afghan citizens,&rdquo; said Singer.&nbsp;The ministry stated that this policy is part of the government&rsquo;s &ldquo;coalition agreement.&rdquo;&nbsp;The incumbent Friedrich Merz-led government in Germany, a coalition between the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats, signed an agreement during their campaign pledging to take a tougher stance on migration and to resume deportations of Afghans and Syrians. This marks a departure from the previous administration, which had promised not to carry out such deportations.&nbsp;The statement further noted that deportations &ldquo;will be resumed, starting with criminals and persons considered a potential threat.&rdquo;&nbsp;This new diplomatic engagement follows a precedent set in July 2025, when &ldquo;a first return operation under the current government took place, during which 81 Afghan citizens who had committed serious crimes in Germany were repatriated.&rdquo;&nbsp;Previously, deportations had been conducted with Qatar acting as an intermediary. However, this time Germany is engaging directly with the Afghan authorities.&nbsp;The goal of the new talks is to move beyond one-off operations and establish a regularized process.&nbsp;The spokesperson noted that the &ldquo;return mechanism&rdquo; is intended for Afghan citizens who &ldquo;have no legal right to stay in Germany and are required to leave the country.&rdquo;&nbsp;This could potentially mean that deportations will be expanded to include Afghans whose asylum applications have been rejected and who are therefore residing illegally in Germany.&nbsp;Moreover, the ministry&rsquo;s use of the term &ldquo;de facto authorities,&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;the Afghan government,&rdquo; when referring to the Taliban, clearly indicates that Berlin is dealing with the group in power without recognizing it as the legitimate government.&nbsp;The ministry acknowledged the sensitive nature of the negotiations, concluding that &ldquo;no further information can be provided at this stage of the talks.&rdquo;

Germany’s Interior Ministry confirms holding talks with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities; purpose is to establish a formal deportation process for Afghan nationals; marking direct engagement with the Taliban after previous indirect repatriations via Qatar

Articles tagged with "Afghans"

US seeks third-country resettlement options for Afghan allies: Rubio

Germany negotiates with Taliban over refugees but denies 'legitimacy'