Afghan Refugees in Qatar Stage Hunger Strike Amid Growing Uncertainty Over Resettlement

Affected Afghan refugees residing in the Al-Saliya camp in Qatar have gone on a hunger strike in protest against the prison-like conditions and prolonged uncertainty. These protests come as reports indicate the U.S. government’s decision to eliminate funding for the immigration visa program in 2026 and the potential halt of resettlement for 250,000 refugees…

Life in Confinement; A Strike for Determining Fate

The situation in the Afghan refugee camps in third countries has reached a critical point. Reports from Doha indicate that Afghan refugees at the Al-Saliya camp in Qatar, whose patience has run out due to the long and aimless wait, have staged protests.

Some news sources have confirmed that a number of these refugees have gone on hunger strikes in protest of what they describe as prison-like behavior and absolute uncertainty. The protesters have warned that they will not eat until U.S. and Qatari officials clarify the status of their immigration cases.

The Al-Saliya camp, which was previously a military base for the United States on the outskirts of Doha, currently houses around 1,300 to 1,500 Afghan refugees. Residents of this camp say they have been trapped in this place for years and are treated not as refugees but as prisoners.

Washington’s Contraction Policies; Elimination of Immigration Visa Budget

These protests are intensifying as alarming news comes from Washington. The Washington Post reported in August that, according to current and former officials of the U.S. State Department, the Donald Trump administration is reviewing and possibly pulling out of the Afghan refugee resettlement program.

According to these reports, the proposed U.S. government budget plan for the fiscal year 2026 eliminates major parts of the Afghan immigration visa program (SIV). Experts warn that with the enforcement of this budget from October, the process of transferring refugees may face serious challenges and perhaps a complete halt.

The Risk of Expelling 250,000 People

The changing approach of the United States has shrouded the fate of more than 250,000 Afghan refugees, including local government collaborators, translators, and former U.S. military staff, in uncertainty. These individuals, who are currently stranded in dozens of countries including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi camp), and Albania, face a serious risk of forced return to Afghanistan.

The situation in the camps in Abu Dhabi and Albania has also been reported to be similar to that in Qatar; where thousands of other Afghans are still awaiting visa issuance and transfer to the United States, but over time, their hopes have turned to despair, feeling forgotten by their former allies.