Link to article: https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-immigration-war-biden-border-protection-3294229291c7cc079695604740e86ab4
The war between Afghanistan and the United States ended in late 2014 after lasting 13 years. It was the longest war fought by the United States. Following the war the United States left troops in Afghanistan to keep some control in the area. In August 2021 the United states president, Joe Biden, decided to withdraw the troops in Afghanistan. Leaving over $7 billion worth of equipment behind and letting the terrorist group, the Taliban, take over the country. In September 2023 the Biden administration decided they were gonna give legal status to Afghan migrants who have been living in the U.S for over a year. This wouldn’t give the 14,600 Afghans citizenship but it would give them the ability to work in the country for a year and then be renewed the following year. When citizens of Afghanistan who would qualify for this heard this, they risked a lot trying to get back to America.
After being in war with Afghanistan for so long, it is strange that the United States has decided to be so accepting of all the Afghans when especially now it is very dangerous, as they are currently being ruled by the Taliban. I also question what the United States will gain by doing this. It is likely they are just allowing their legal status’ to get in better terms with Afghanistan so we don’t return to war. With many Afghans trying to return to America this could potentially cause major problems within Afghanistan because the Taliban does not want them to leave.
We typically discuss wars every day in class. How they come to be and how they affect events following. Having the war in Afghanistan for so long made the government very weak so when the Taliban tried to take over, the prime minister and all the leaders fled. The temporary legal status from the Biden administration shows that even after long wars countries can try to get back on good terms and become allies. Being allies (friendly with one another) is very important to keep good trade relations and allows for better protection from other countries. The diplomatic ties between the United States and Afghanistan have grown not necessarily from mutual benefit but for those seeking refuge.