Afghan refugees face eviction as funding cuts hit assistance programs

In early 2025, Afghan refugees in the United States, particularly those who assisted U.S. forces during the Afghanistan conflict, found themselves in dire financial situations after significant cuts to federal aid. These refugees, like Rahmani, an Afghan father of two who had worked with U.S.-backed organizations in Kabul, began to face imminent eviction threats due to a lack of rental assistance. Their assistance came to a halt when the Trump administration cut off funding for the federal refugee program in January, leaving organizations without critical resources to support these vulnerable families. As of March 2025, Global Refuge, the parent organization of LSSNCA, had not received any federal reimbursements for services rendered since Inauguration Day. This abrupt stop in funding significantly affected operational capacity, leading to layoffs of staff and increasing the fear of homelessness among approximately 170 individuals in Virginia and Maryland. Rahmani's situation exemplifies the broader challenge as many newly arrived refugees struggle to navigate the complexities of resettlement without adequate financial support. The organizations designed to aid these refugees faced overwhelming challenges. They were working with very limited resources, and a majority of their clientele included those who had been promised visas and protection by the U.S. government following the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. The cuts meant delays in financial support and the distressing worry of eviction loomed large. Many, like Rahmani, considered returning to Afghanistan despite the dangers involved, as staying in the U.S. without help became increasingly untenable. The failure to provide timely assistance corresponds with a notable rise in the distress levels among the Afghan community in the United States. This impact is compounded by fears of pandemonium should their finances continue to deteriorate, and many families face the distress of being uprooted once again. As aid organizations scramble to respond, the potential for more extensive evictions raises pressing questions about the future of immigrant support in the U.S. and the responsibilities owed to those who once aided American objectives abroad.