Afghan students at a U.S.-supported university in Qatar are threatened with deportation as the school approaches closure. With their visas in jeopardy and no legal safety net, many fear going back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
A Vision of Progress Now in Crisis
The American University of Afghanistan (AUAF), which had been a beacon of hope for generations of young Afghans, is on the verge of being shut down. Established in 2006 and relocated to Qatar following the Taliban’s ascension to power, AUAF was established to develop the next generation of Afghan leaders. Its liberal arts program, English language instruction, and emphasis on democratic values earned it the nickname “Little America” among its students.
For nearly two decades, the U.S. government invested over $100 million into the university, aiming to offer Afghan youth a shot at education, empowerment, and international opportunity. Until recently, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) covered over half of the university’s operating costs. That funding stopped in February.
Immediate Impact on Afghan Students in Qatar
Without legal status or Qatari employer sponsorship, the majority of them would face forced deportation to Afghanistan—a country that remains controlled by the Taliban.
For students, especially women, to go back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is an extreme risk. They fear being targeted for having a Western education or advocating personal freedoms. Some, like a woman cybersecurity student close to graduation, have worried about their safety if deported. She is worried because of the very real threat of violence, like forced marriage or worse, against her because she is a Western-educated woman.
Dreams Deferred, Futures in Limbo
The crisis doesn’t just affect current students—it halts years of hard work and potential global contributions. One student had created a fraud-detection A.I. app that won a Microsoft hackathon in Doha. He had plans to work for a U.S. tech company, a future now hanging by a thread. He, like many others, believed that American-backed education would open doors. But with the looming shutdown, that belief gives way to uncertainty and fear.
Many students now live in a state of limbo—too Westernized to be accepted by the Taliban, yet without the legal infrastructure to remain in Qatar. Their demand is simple: give them a chance to complete their education and seek legal avenues for securing safety.
A Broader Examination of U.S. Foreign Policy
This case also raises questions about the stability of U.S.-supported educational initiatives abroad on a larger scale. These projects often start with the best intentions, but their long-term stability depends on sustained political will and funding. The sudden cut-off of funding not only puts institutions in jeopardy but also the lives of the very people those projects were meant to improve.
This development could have a chilling effect on other foreign education efforts supported by the U.S. government, especially in conflict zones.
Looking Ahead – U.S.-Backed Afghan Scholars in Qatar Could Be Deported if American University Shuts Down
If the university is closed, there are few places Afghan students can go. A few will attempt to find private sponsorships or third-country scholarships. Others would try to petition for asylum or humanitarian parole somewhere—presumably including the U.S.—but it is an uncertain and drawn-out process.
As this crisis unwinds, the fate of scores of people hangs in the balance. Whether the U.S. will act decisively remains to be seen.
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