‘We gave everything’: Afghan allies abandoned by U.S. share fears of life under Taliban

Amna Nawaz:

Four years ago this past Sunday, the last American soldier walked up the ramp of the last departing military flight out of Kabul, ending nearly 20 years of the American war in Afghanistan.

The U.S. also left thousands of Afghans behind who had worked with the United States and believed in the American-led war against the Taliban. Many of them are still left behind after the Trump administration suspended all relocation programs.

Nick Schifrin spoke with two men still in Afghanistan about the fear they live with today and the dark memories from the Taliban takeover.

Nick Schifrin:

Four years ago, a community forsaken. Thousands of Afghans flooded Kabul Airport, desperate to flee. And many, having worked with the U.S., begged American soldiers for a chance to keep their freedom.

Man:

I have all documents to go to U.S.

Nick Schifrin:

As the Taliban took back Afghanistan and after two decades, the United States withdrew.

"Mohammad," Former Humanitarian Coordinator: That was very, very bad scenario for us, not only for my family, but all the Afghans, especially those who worked with international India and for the U.S. During that time, we have to say we lost our hope.

Nick Schifrin:

This is a man we will call Mohammad, who's still in Afghanistan and whose identity we are concealing and voice we are altering. He was a humanitarian coordinator for more than 20 years. He worked with USAID, the U.N. and others to promote women's rights, expand education, and bring together community leaders from across the country to build peace.

What were you trying to accomplish by helping the U.S. and the U.N. in Afghanistan?

“Mohammad”:

The United States tried to develop or increase democracy in Afghanistan, in human rights, especially rights for women and children. I tried to educate people. And that was my responsibility. It was a good chance for me to serve my people, my community, especially in remote areas where they had no access to anything, no education, no health services, no roads and no water.

Nick Schifrin:

But Mohammad's help for his homeland nearly cost him his only son. He was kidnapped by the Taliban and tortured for nearly a month.

“Mohammad”:

They said they would need $400,000 to release my son, which was not possible for me. Finally, they accepted $60,000. I had to sell everything. I lost my house. I sold my car. Even after I received my son, they messaged me that you have no more rights to work with U.N. international NGOs, especially with U.S. projects. Otherwise, you will be killed or we will kill your family.

It's very bad memory that I have. And my wife, after many years, she's not mentally OK.

Nick Schifrin:

The family is not OK. Today, the threat they face is daily. When the Taliban took over, they released his son's torturers, who are now local commanders.

“Mohammad”:

This is the fourth house which I changed. During the four years, when me and my son go to the bazaar, or market, we just put on masks and sunglasses to not be recognized by anyone.

Nick Schifrin:

Under Taliban rule, life for Afghans who aided America has become a living nightmare. The Taliban administer their vengeance through torture, drowning this former member of the security forces, shooting this former police chief.

But America's Afghan allies have nowhere to go. Soon after inauguration, President Trump suspended the Refugee Admissions Program. And in May, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem rescinded Afghans' temporary protected status, which allowed them to live in the U.S. for up to 18 months.

She said Afghanistan's conditions — quote — "do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation," and that Afghanistan has had an improved security situation. In late July, President Trump suggested he wanted to take care of only some Afghan refugees.

Question:

What is America's debt to our Afghan war allies that kept our veterans safe over there? There's been some talk about sending a lot of them back. Would you let your administration do that?

Donald Trump, President of the United States: We know the good ones, and we know the ones that maybe aren't so good. You know, some came over that aren't so good. And we're going to take care of those people, the ones that did a job.

"Abdul," Former English Teacher: We were so happy that he is the president of the United States. But he surprised everyone by what he did, the executive orders, put on suspension.

Nick Schifrin:

A man we will call Abdul is a former English teacher, including of girls. He worked with the U.S. Embassy and American Council for five years before the Taliban takeover.

He'd been approved for a P-1 visa, designated for at-risk refugees, referred by U.S. government agencies and NGOs. He was just waiting for his medical check in flight when President Trump suspended the program.

We're changing your voice. We're blurring your face. What's the risk that you face today?

“Abdul”:

Two options, detain or kill. If it's known that I was a person who worked with the U.S. Embassy and American Council, especially with the people of America, there is no justice. There is no court. They will just order their soldiers to check their aim and just shoot you in your head.

I do not have a plan for now or for the future. That is the situation at this time in Afghanistan.

Nick Schifrin:

An Afghanistan under the Taliban is one of tyranny and tribulation. Dissent is met with public execution. Unemployment and inflation are high, and women have been silenced, barred from receiving an education or even participating in almost all aspects of public life. Some of their homes are now their prisons.

“Abdul”:

I no longer know what will be the future of us, the future of my students, who still didn't even complete their education. And these thoughts hit me hard. So, by the course of time, even I feel depressed.

Why were we left behind? What crime did we commit? We gave all of our ability. We gave everything we had. And now we are living in limbo. We are living anonymously. We are hiding in a corner of our home.

Nick Schifrin:

Hiding and hopeless. Four years later, American allies and many Afghans have never felt more alone.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.