Mark Kelly Urges Against Removal of Afghan Allies from Qatar to Democratic Republic of the Congo

Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) spearheaded a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging against plans to relocate Afghan allies from Qatar to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), arguing that they would be less safe in the Central African country.

President Donald Trump is reportedly considering relocating 1,000 Afghan allies, such as interpreters, special operations personnel, and their families (including 400 children), from Doha, Qatar, to the DRC.

As Sen. Kelly and others wrote, "After the fall of Afghanistan, many of [these allies] were promised safety under the Special Immigrant Visa program or other resettlement pathways that the Administration has stalled or abandoned completely," despite them being "vetted time and again."

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, meanwhile, "is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis of its own," one which the United Nations has called "one of the world's most complex displacement crises despite peace efforts."

Thus, the lawmakers argue that sending our Afghan allies there "would constitute one of the most cruel and imprudent betrayals in our Nation's history."

"The Administration may not hold itself responsible for the events that led to the Afghan refugee crisis, but it is responsible for the path forward," Sen. Kelly continued. "We urge you to cease any negotiations that would result in the involuntary or coerced transfer of Afghan allies to third countries ill-equipped to ensure their safety. The Administration's missteps with allies around the world have already damaged our global standing and reputation; do not compound your past mistakes with another."

The United States was able to secure the release of Taliban hostage Dennis Coyle in March, which the Arizona Senator celebrated, saying, "So happy to finally see Arizona native Dennis Coyle released and on his way home to his family after more than a year of being wrongfully detained by the Taliban. I know how relieved his loved ones must be, and I appreciate everyone who played a role in securing his release."