Download a PDF of the 2025 open letter to the Afghan Diaspora in English, Dari, and Pashto

An Open Letter to the Afghan Diaspora

August 30, 2025

Dear Afghan friends and allies,

Four years have now passed since Kabul fell and the last U.S. forces left Afghanistan. For many, that moment is not a distant memory—it is the beginning of a new chapter written in loss, resilience, and unyielding strength. It is the day families were torn apart, the day so many were forced to leave behind homes, careers, and dreams, and the day countless Afghans began the long journey of starting over in unfamiliar places. For those who remain behind, it marked the start of daily struggles to survive under an uncertain and often hostile reality.

I want you to know that you are not forgotten. The story of Afghanistan is not confined to headlines or anniversaries—it lives in you, in your families, and in your communities around the world. Every act of perseverance, every child excelling in school, every family building a new life is a reminder of the enduring strength of the Afghan people.

While U.S. government policies may shift from one administration to the next, the American people have not abandoned you. Across this country, veterans, military families, faith communities, volunteers, and everyday neighbors continue to stand with Afghans. Their support is steadfast because it is rooted not in politics, but in friendship, gratitude, and shared sacrifice. The bonds forged on battlefields, in classrooms, and in neighborhoods are lasting. They are the proof that solidarity is stronger than policy.

We also know the hardships continue: families remain separated by oceans and by bureaucracy, those still in Afghanistan face danger and despair, and too many of you carry the trauma of those first chaotic days in August 2021. That weight is real, and I want to acknowledge it directly. Grief cannot be rushed, and injustice cannot be ignored. But neither can the courage and contributions of Afghans here and abroad. Every day, I see Afghans leading, teaching, serving, and inspiring. You are shaping the future, not only for yourselves, but for the communities that have welcomed you.

On this solemn anniversary, we mourn together what was lost. But we also affirm what endures: your dignity, your resilience, and our shared commitment to one another. The work is not finished. AfghanEvac, and so many who care deeply about you, will continue to push forward until families are reunited, safe passage is secured, and Afghans are given the chance to thrive in freedom and peace.

You are not alone. You never were. And you never will be.

With deepest respect and solidarity,