What It Means (and What It Doesn’t)

What It Means

• The U.S. government is officially ending CARE—the office created to coordinate Afghan relocation efforts after the fall of Kabul.

• This change is detailed on page 8 of the Congressional Notification (CN 25-032) and is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025.

• The staff have not been told what happens next, and the CN misnames the successor office—suggesting confusion or disorganization at State.

• Unless Congress acts, there will be no dedicated team inside the State Department coordinating evacuations, reunifications, or case escalations.

• All functions CARE was overseeing—including third-country processing, flight coordination, and family reunification—are paused and at risk of being fragmented or dropped entirely.

What It Doesn’t Mean

• It does not mean the U.S. commitment to Afghan allies is over—but it does show that the infrastructure to carry it out is being dismantled.

• It does not automatically end all relocation or visa processing—but those efforts will lack a coordinating office, making them slower and less accountable.

• It does not stop Afghans with valid U.S. visas from departing—they can still seek assistance at afghanevac.org/self-depart, as long as they are outside of Afghanistan.

• It does not yet include a formal visa ban, but we continue to expect one in the coming weeks based on Executive Order 14161.