US Pays Afghans Stranded in Qatar to Repatriate, Sparking Backlash

State Department officials defend the plan as the best option for relocating the over 1,100 Afghans held at a former U.S. base in Qatar.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The U.S. State Department has begun paying Afghans stranded at a camp in Qatar to repatriate to Afghanistan, as it attempts to close the facility by the end of March. The group includes civilian refugees, former U.S. military contractors, and family members of U.S. servicemembers who fear retribution from the Taliban. Democrats have criticized the plan as a "betrayal of our Afghan allies", while the State Department argues keeping them indefinitely at the camp is unreasonable.

Why it matters

The fate of the Afghans stranded in Qatar highlights the ongoing challenges in resettling those who assisted the U.S. during the 20-year war in Afghanistan, as the Taliban has retaken control of the country. The U.S. government's decision to pay them to repatriate has drawn criticism from advocates who say the Afghans face grave danger if returned to Afghanistan.

The details

More than 1,100 Afghans have been held at the former U.S. Army base Camp As Sayliyah (CAS) in Qatar since early 2025, when the Trump administration halted their resettlement. The group includes civilian refugees, women who served as special operators for the U.S., and family members of U.S. servicemembers. The State Department is now offering payments of $4,500 for a main applicant and $1,200 per additional person to those who agree to "self-deport" and return to Afghanistan ahead of the planned closure of the facility at the end of March.

  • The Afghans have been held at Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar since at least early 2025.
  • The State Department plans to close the facility by the end of March 2026.

The players

S. Paul Kapur

Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia.

Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee holding a hearing on the issue.

Shawn VanDiver

Head of #AfghanEvac, a coalition of veterans and advocacy groups.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.