Flights for Afghans Approved for Special U.S. Visas Suspended, Advocates and Officials Report

President Donald Trump’s recent suspension of foreign aid has led to the halting of flights for over 40,000 Afghans approved for Special U.S. Visas (SIVs), leaving them stranded in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Qatar, and Albania. This decision has placed these individuals at increased risk of Taliban retribution. The suspension is part of a broader 90-day pause on foreign development aid, pending a review of its efficiency and alignment with the “America First” foreign policy. Advocacy groups, such as #AfghanEvac, are urging the administration to grant exemptions for these Afghans, who supported U.S. efforts during the 20-year war in Afghanistan.