Help 2 Sisters from Afghanistan Who Had to Flee the Taliban

We had to leave my daughters behind in Pakistan after we fled there from our home in Kabul, Afghanistan.

We had to flee from our beloved homeland after the Taliban returned to power and Kabul fell in 2021. The Taliban targets anyone who worked for the U.S., along with their families. Several of my children worked for the U.S. government in Afghanistan for years, and my husband is a retired Colonel who worked with the U.S. government for eight years. My son was receiving threatening letters from the Taliban, warning that if they found him, they would kill him and all his family members.

My husband and I, along with our daughters and our son’s family, were able to cross the border and get to relative safety in Pakistan in late 2022. My son and his family came to the U.S. in 2023 on my son’s SIV (Special Immigrant Visa for Allies of America), and then five months ago, my husband’s and my visas were approved, and we came to the U.S. But we had to leave behind our two single daughters, Donya and Sana; they are over 21, so they could not come with us.

We were able to come because another of our daughters, who came to the U.S. nine years ago, is an American citizen. Parents of U.S. citizens have high priority for immigrating. But siblings of U.S. citizens do not have high priority, and there is a waiting list of between 8-12 years for them. This is why we had to leave behind my adult daughters in Pakistan.

But it was dangerous for them there without a male relative, so recently they were able to make their way to China. They are waiting there for their Humanitarian Parole cases to be approved so they can come to the United States of America. We have no idea how long that may take.

They cannot go back to live in Kabul because women are not allowed to live alone there, and they would be seized by the Taliban. Neither can they live in Pakistan without a male relative.

So they are waiting in China, and we are praying to God to accelerate their Humanitarian Parole cases soon so they can join us in the U.S.

While they are waiting there, they have no income, so my son is sending them $200/month, which is all he can do, as he is also supporting his own family. This is barely enough for them to eat, as food is very expensive where they live in China. Vegetables, fruit, and meat are especially expensive, so they eat a lot of rice and noodles, and not much of anything else. I fear for their health.

My husband is in his 70s and not in the best of health, so he cannot work right now. I am still looking for a job and waiting to hear back from several leads. My husband and I would appreciate so very much any donation you could spare to help support them. In addition to food and housing, they need to buy winter clothes, and they also have the expense of renewing their visas.

The lives of my two dear daughters have been turned upside down, and they are struggling to survive. They are innocent victims of what has happened with the Taliban. They have been uprooted from the only home and country they have ever known, and they do not know what their future holds. But in spite of this, they remain calm, and they reassure me, telling me, “Mom, after each night there is a morning, and the end of the tunnel is always bright.”

Anything would help. We would so appreciate anything you could spare for my girls, even a dollar. Thank you so very, very much!

UPDATE: The following update was written by my son-in-law, who is helping my daughters to be able to remain in China. Because their current visa for China expires/expired 12/31/24, this is his plan:

Background:

My name is Sayed, and I currently reside in Xi'an, China, with my family. My wife, who is here on a scholarship, and I have two children. Due to my visa restrictions, I cannot work in China and rely on family support for sustenance. In addition to managing my own family's needs, I have been assisting my two sisters-in-law, Dunya and Sana, who were left alone in Pakistan after fleeing Afghanistan due to the Taliban's rule. To ensure their safety and well-being, I brought them to China legally. Family members and friends have given and loaned all the money they can to help support my sisters-in-law. Here is the situation, that causes me to humbly ask for help.

Financial Expenditures to Date:

1. Initial Costs:

2. Subsequent Costs in China:

 Total: $2,800

 I opened a company to facilitate their 1-year work visa at the cost of $2,000, but the visa application was rejected due to government policy changes.

Current Situation:

The girls' final "T Visa" (Tourist Visa) is valid until the end of December. To avoid legal complications and ensure their continued stay in China, an exit and re-entry plan (from China to Oman and back into China) is essential. This will also facilitate their enrollment in a language program when they return to China, allowing them to transition to a student visa within the next two months.

In addition to the upcoming trip expenses, there is an outstanding amount of $1,650 from the last trip (a consulting company fee of $400 and train tickets of $200).

Upcoming Trip Expenses (Xi'an to Muscat, Oman):

1. Flight Costs:

2. Accommodation Costs:

3. Meal Costs:

4. Visa Costs:

5. Transportation Costs:

Total Estimated Cost of the Trip:

Expense Amount ($)

Flights $2,700

Hotel Stay $ 900

Meals $ 675

Visa Fees $ 60

Transportation $ 250

Total $4,585

Justification for Entry and Exit Plan:

1. Legal Compliance: The girls' current T Visa cannot be extended beyond December. Exiting and re-entering China with a new visa is the only legal option to ensure their continued stay.

2. Educational Transition: Upon their return from Oman, we plan to enroll them in a language program. This will enable them to apply for a student visa, providing a stable and long-term solution for their residency in China.

3. Safety and Well-being: Their return to Afghanistan or prolonged illegal stay in China poses significant risks. This entry and exit plan is crucial to maintaining their safety.

4. Financial Efforts: Despite facing financial challenges, I have borrowed money and used all available resources to support their journey. This plan is the final step to stabilize their situation and secure their future.

Conclusion:

We urgently need to proceed with this trip to Oman to renew their visas and facilitate their transition to student status in China. The estimated cost of $4,585 is necessary to achieve this goal and ensure the girls' safety and stability. Additionally, any assistance in clearing the unpaid balance from the previous expenses would greatly ease the financial burden.