Afghan girl accepted to U.S. colleges faces uncertain future after Trump’s travel ban

Laura Barron-Lopez:

This ban potentially affects thousands of people, including a young girl from Afghanistan. And we're calling her Saira, blurring her face and altering her voice to protect her identity for her safety.

She spoke to producer Zeba Warsi from Peshawar in neighboring Pakistan, where she traveled from — for her U.S. visa appointment. And now she doesn't know where to go.

Saira, Student from Afghanistan: As an Afghan student, we cannot study in our country. I waited for one year to complete this process. The applying for a university in the United States is not easy.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

Despite her best efforts, Saira feels abandoned again.

Saira:

Although I have successfully obtained a student visa for this fall semester, but this is a new policy is giving me anxiety.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

Before the Taliban took over in 2021, she was a first year journalism student at Kabul University with big dreams. But the Taliban crushed them. For the last four years, they have banned women and girls from school and from most of public life.

But Saira didn't give up. She fought against the Taliban by protesting in Kabul. And, last year, she applied to 11 colleges in the U.S. and got accepted to five. This fall, she was all set to attend a college in Pennsylvania to study political science.

Saira:

I really want to study political science because I want to work on Afghanistan politics area, especially for women's rights in Afghanistan. My only goal is to use this opportunity in the United States, use the United States — United States education only for — to serve for my country, serve for women like me who are suffering right now, who are banned for education, who cannot have their basic rights.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

Saira is in neighboring Pakistan, where she traveled with her family for her U.S. student visa appointment. But with the many uncertainties around travel restrictions on Afghan nationals like her, she's worried for her future.

Saira:

What I will do, how I can return back to home, where the Taliban, if they know that I came to Peshawar, Pakistan, for use visa for my — continuing my education to use, they would probably tell me or do something to me. Currently, my only hope is in United States. And I hope they hear our voices and know our concern that we are relying on your country, on your education.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

Amna, the White House told "News Hour" that a student like Saira would be able to enter the United States because she was already issued her visa before the president issued this proclamation just last night.

But, still, students like Saira are very anxious right now because of the president's larger crackdown on foreign national students like her.

Amna Nawaz:

All right, Laura Barron-Lopez reporting.

As usual, wonderful reporting tonight. Thank you.

Laura Barron-Lopez:

Thank you.