Americans attempting to evacuate Afghanistan are being charged thousands of dollars by State Department officials, according to a new report.
The Biden administration has claimed that flights out of Kabul would be free for US citizens.
“Even though U.S. officials tell NatSec Daily and others that evacuation flights from Kabul will be free, people trying to catch a plane in the Afghan capital say differently. One person said State Department staff were seeking large payments — up to $2,000 — from American passengers and even more from non-U.S. citizens,” Politico reports.
When confronted with this information, a spokesperson for the State Department did not deny that this was happening.
“U.S. law requires that evacuation assistance to private U.S. citizens or third country nationals be provided ‘on a reimbursable basis to the maximum extent practicable.’ The situation is extremely fluid, and we are working to overcome obstacles as they arise,” the spokesperson told Politico.
There were still as many as 15,000 Americans in Afghanistan as of Tuesday.
A security alert issued by the US Embassy in Afghanistan on Saturday stated that “repatriation flights are not free, and passengers will be required to sign a promissory loan agreement and may not be eligible to renew their U.S. passports until the loan is repaid. The cost may be $2,000USD or more per person.”
Americans who remain in the country that is under Taliban control have not been guaranteed a safe evacuation by the United States.
The below note went out this afternoon to American citizens requesting to be evacuated from Afghanistan, @alanacbs reports. It instructs people to come to Hamid Karzai Intl Airport in Kabul, but says the US govt cannot guarantee their safety as they make the trip. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/rgEyjGup4K
— Sara Cook (@saraecook) August 17, 2021
“Thank you for registering your request to be evacuated from Afghanistan. The U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan has confirmed that an undefined number of U.S. government provided flights will begin soon. Please make your way to Hamid Karzai International Airport at this time,” the message read.
“PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SECURITY AS YOU MAKE THIS TRIP,” the message continued.
The U.S. is not helping those who are stranded with their transportation to the airport, leaving them entirely to their own devices in the war-torn country.
“While there have been nearly 6,000 evacuations many flights are leaving half empty due to the chaos outside the airport,” Ian Pannell, an ABC reporter in Afghanistan, tweeted on Thursday.
Although the Americans control the airport, just yards away were scenes of chaos. The Taliban fired their weapons in the air and were beating women and children in the crowds. Over a dozen people were reportedly injured in a crush.
2/5— Ian Pannell (@IanPannell) August 19, 2021
“Although the Americans control the airport, just yards away were scenes of chaos. The Taliban fired their weapons in the air and were beating women and children in the crowds. Over a dozen people were reportedly injured in a crush,” Pannell added.
President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to have all troops out of Afghanistan by August 31 when speaking to @GStephanopoulos last night. From what we saw yesterday, that may result in many getting left behind unless that deadline is extended.
5/5— Ian Pannell (@IanPannell) August 19, 2021
The reporter continued on to say that “President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to have all troops out of Afghanistan by August 31 when speaking to George Stephanopoulos last night. From what we saw yesterday, that may result in many getting left behind unless that deadline is extended.”
