In brief
An Afghan student shares her fears about being forced back to Afghanistan after U.S. aid cuts threaten her education and safety.
When students at the American University of Afghanistan in Qatar hear about U.S. aid and visa cutoffs, they can't help but feel a chill of fear. They worry they could be sent back to a Taliban-controlled homeland where education for women is illegal. Nilab, a 30-year-old Afghan student, reveals her struggles with mental health while navigating these uncertain waters. She pens her fears on notes, pinning them on her dorm wall in Doha. The situation escalated when President Trump signed an executive order halting refugee resettlement, crushing any hopes of reuniting with her family in the U.S. Nilab recalls how she was thriving in her cybersecurity studies before the political turmoil turned her future into a nightmare. "How can girls go back to Afghanistan?" she ponders, fearing the dire consequences of a return—forced marriage, violence, and an end to her aspirations for a brighter future.These students stand united, confronting their anguish while hoping for a lifeline from the very nation that once backed their education. Their plight showcases the ongoing impact of geopolitical decisions and the human costs of policy changes.
