U.S. Senator Shaheen Criticizes Closure of Afghan Transit Camp in Qatar

Senior U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen criticized Washington’s decision to close Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, warning hundreds of at-risk Afghans face uncertainty without resettlement plans.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen has sharply criticized the Trump administration’s decision to close Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, a key transit and temporary housing site for Afghan evacuees.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Shaheen said shutting the facility without a clear plan to safely resettle hundreds of at-risk Afghans was “disappointing” and “irresponsible.”

She said many of those affected include women, children and Afghans who risked their lives working alongside U.S. forces, warning they are being left in a dangerous state of uncertainty.

Camp As Sayliyah was established after the collapse of Afghanistan’s former government in 2021 and became one of the main hubs for processing Afghans evacuated during and after the U.S. withdrawal.

The camp has housed Afghans awaiting security vetting and onward resettlement, primarily to the United States, with many holding approved or pending legal pathways.

Shaheen said the decision undermines U.S. credibility, calling it a betrayal of American values that could weaken trust among current and future allies.

She added that most Afghans at the camp have lawful routes to resettlement and urged the administration to honor its commitments to those who supported U.S. missions.

As the closure moves forward, rights groups and lawmakers warn that unresolved cases risk prolonged limbo, heightening concerns over forced returns and humanitarian consequences.

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