Evacuated interpreters with family in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan push for visas to be prioritised – ABC News
Efat left Kabul in such a hurry she didn't get a chance to saygoodbye to her parents and siblings.
The Hazara woman, who worked as an interpreter for Australian and US troops,knew a future in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan was not an option for her.
The 28-year-oldspent two weeksin the heat, staking out the crowded gates of Kabul International Airport for anopportunity to flee Afghanistan,afterTaliban insurgents captured the country.
Once she saw a chance to leave, she had to seize the opportunity and didn't have time to go back and farewell her family.
Now livingin Adelaide, Efat, whois not usingher real name because ofconcerns for her family's safety,wants to urgentlybringher family to Australia.
She fears they could becometargets because of their Hazaraethnicity and her work with coalition forces.
"Every dayand every moment I'm thinking 'how should I get them out of that country?'because there is no life forthem [there]," she told the ABC.
"I am all by myself and I have not a single person of my family with me the problem is that I have in my mind that they're in a place that is not safe for them."
In the wake of the US withdrawal in August, Afghans who worked with the coalition forces have been killed.
The Talibanhave also beenevicting Hazara, who are Shia Muslims,from their homes and landwhile Islamic State have begun launching deadly suicide bombings on areas where they live.
Efat said she hadheld off submitting a visa application for her family because she didn't know how many family members she could bring to Australia.
But in response to questions by the ABC, the Department of Home Affairs said there was no limit on the number of close family members a humanitarian visa holder could propose.
Efat said while she was gratefulthe Australian government had helped people like herself evacuate, thegovernment should makethe guidelines around applying for visas for family in Afghanistan clearer.
"It is not only us who matters, it is them too because if they're not safe we're not safe anymore," she said.
"Please bring our families to us, please make us feel like we're going tosee our family members again," she said, holding back tears.
While someformer interpreters for Australian forceshave made it to Australia, others in Afghanistan are still waiting for visas.
The Australiangovernment has opened 3,000 humanitarian visas for Afghans wanting to flee, buta Senate inquiry last week heard none of those humanitarian visas had been issueddespite the government receiving more than 20,000 applications.
Veteran and lawyerGlenn Kolomeitzsaid Australia's humanitarian visa process for Afghans hadbeen "pretty disastrous".
"The Afghans who worked for Australian agencies in Afghanistan, they're entitled to a permanent visa," MrKolomeitz said.
"To date, none of those have been given permanent visas. Many have been given very short-term, temporary safe haven visas."
MrKolomeitz made a submission to a Defence and Foreign Affairs Senate inquiryprobingthe federalgovernment's two-stagevisa application process for former Afghan employees of Australian governmentagencies.
A prominent woman's rights activist and her family share their harrowingcrossing into Pakistan and their safe arrival in Australia.
In his submission, he said some former Afghan interpreters for Australia could not complete the second part of their application because Australia had already closed its embassy in Kabul.
The Department of Foreign Affairs did not respond to the ABC's request for comment.
MrKolomeitz told the ABCthe families of former locally engaged interpreters alsofaced a heightened risk of persecution in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and should be prioritised.
"All of our clients who are here in Australia have family in Afghanistan, that gives them a very strong link to Australia but these people are still not being prioritised," he said.
"What we're seeing is they're simply joining thepile of other applications from every other Afghan who was applyingto come to Australia on humanitarian grounds."
Ahmad,who worked with ADF soldiers in Afghanistan, also hasfamily in the country and fears the Taliban will target them.
The ABC is not using Ahmad's real name to protect his family's identity.
He said he hadcontacted migration lawyers and preparedvisa application formsto try and get his family an Australian visa.
Butwith thousands of other Afghans applying for just a few thousandvisas, he isworried his family will not make the cut.
"I know their families, they want to get their members, their loved ones over here but the amount of risk to the Afghan interpreters' families from [the] Taliban in Afghanistan ismore than any other thing you can think [of]," Ahmad said.
After promisingto honour minority rights, local Taliban leadersevicthundredsof Hazara families, leaving many displaced in rugged mountain areaswith no supplies.
"I've heard rumours and there has been some activitiesby the Taliban, that they are looking for the families of the Afghan interpreters."
He hasjoined calls toprioritise the families of Afghan interpreters for humanitarian visas.
"I[t]will be very good, if they can prioritise the visa for the Afghan interpreters' familiesfirst, especially their parents, because most of these interpreters were living with their parentsin one house," he said.
"If they cannot get out on time, sooner or later the Taliban will come and come after them."
MrKolomeitz said there was still hope for recently evacuated Afghans in Australia wanting to reunite with their families.
"We got a family out in the last week, whose interpreter family live here in Australia [and] are permanent residents," he said.
"But there are still many family members stuck in Afghanistan whowe and others are working on getting visas for and evacuating."
Inresponse to questions from the ABC, the Department of Home Affairs said priority would be given to persecuted minorities, women and children and those who have links to Australia.
For Efat, she just wants to see her parents and siblings again, out of harm's way.
"I have my brothers younger than me and they have not even started their life yet and they're struggling," she said.
See the original post:
Evacuated interpreters with family in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan push for visas to be prioritised - ABC News
- A strong, 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck in Afghanistan on Monday, according to the USGS. - facebook.com - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- At least 20 dead and 150 injured after magnitude 6.3 earthquake in north Afghanistan - Sky News - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Afghanistan, Pakistan have been hit by a spate of quakes in recent years - Reuters - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Strong and shallow M6.3 earthquake hits central Afghanistan - The Watchers - Watching the world evolve and transform - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- At least nine killed as magnitude-6.3 earthquake strikes northern Afghanistan - France 24 - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday near the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. The extent of the damage was not immediately... - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Afghanistan Earthquake Live Updates: At least 20 killed, 320 injured after 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Mazar-e Sharif, more casualties feared - The... - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Powerful 6.3 quake in Northern Afghanistan kills at nine - The Japan Times - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Strong 6.3 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Afghanistan: What to Know - Newsweek - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Magnitude 6.3 quake hits northern Afghanistan - The Times of Israel - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Another earthquake rocks Afghanistan. What makes the country so vulnerable to temblors? - Firstpost - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Afghanistan: At least 7 killed, over 150 injured in 6.3-magnitude quake; Mazar-i-Sharif shrine partly des - The Times of India - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Afghanistan Earthquake Live Updates: 7 killed, 150 injured after 6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Mazar-e Sharif, more casualties feared - MSN - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes Afghanistan: Why is the country hit so often? - The Indian Express - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- At least five dead, 150 injured after 6.3-magnitude earthquake strikes Afghanistan - The New Indian Express - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Afghanistan earthquake: Death toll from 6.3 magnitude quake rises to 20, over 320 injured - WION - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Over 20 dead in Afghanistan earthquake - breakingthenews.net - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Afghanistan rocked by 6.3-magnitude earthquake - The Telegraph - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Five years of deadly earthquakes in Afghanistan and Pakistan - The Business Standard - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Magnitude 6.3 earthquake jolts northern Afghanistan; tremors felt in Kabul - The Times of India - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Earthquake today: At least 20 killed, 320 injured as 6.3-magnitude quake strikes Afghanistan - livemint.com - November 3rd, 2025 [November 3rd, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to maintain a ceasefire for now. Here's what to know - NPR - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan Extend Ceasefire After Talks in Istanbul - The Media Line - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan hold third day of peace talks as border tensions test ceasefire - AP News - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- 'Based on mutual respect': Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to truce after Istanbul peace talks; follow-up - The Times of India - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Pakistan, Afghanistan extend ceasefire, to hold another round of peace talks - Emporia Gazette - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Pakistan says it seeks no further escalation but urges Afghanistan to act against militants - MSN - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- 'Can't break the deal': Pakistan says 'US drones behind strikes on Afghanistan'; makes shocking admission - The Times of India - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Afghanistan, Pakistan Agree to Extend Ceasefire After Talks in Istanbul - AL24 News - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Afghanistan, Pakistan extend ceasefire following Trkiye-Qatar mediation talks - Anadolu Ajans - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Will India help Afghanistan build a dam on cross-border river with Pakistan? - Firstpost - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Pakistan, Afghanistan extend ceasefire by a week after Turkey talks - The Indian Express - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to resume peace talks on November 6 - thefederal.com - October 31st, 2025 [October 31st, 2025]
- Trump: I Dont Need to Solve Afghanistan-Pakistan Conflict, But Will - Newsweek - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- No resolution as Afghanistan, Pakistan end peace talks in Istanbul, sources say - Reuters - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Peace talks hosted by Turkey between Pakistan and Afghanistan hit impasse in Istanbul - Ottumwa Courier - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan: a divided nation and a shared conflict - Latest news from Azerbaijan - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Trump says he will solve Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis 'very quickly' as peace talks enter second day - AP News - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Peace talks hosted by Turkey between Pakistan and Afghanistan hit impasse in Istanbul - AP News - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Peace talks hosted by Turkey between Pakistan and Afghanistan hit impasse in Istanbul - Temple Daily Telegram - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- How durable is the Afghanistan-Pakistan ceasefire? - dw.com - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Peace talks hosted by Turkey between Pakistan and Afghanistan hit impasse in Istanbul - Goshen News - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Pakistan, Afghanistan continue talks to resolve cross-border tensions - Business Standard - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Afghanistan-Pakistan Truce Talks in Istanbul End Without Resolution - Newsonair - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Peace talks hosted by Turkey between Pakistan and Afghanistan hit impasse in Istanbul - The Spec - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan Hold Third Day Of Peace Talks In Istanbul As Border Tensions Persist - Outlook India - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Afghanistan Women's Football Team in Exile Takes the Field for First Match in FIFA Tournament - Hasht-e Subh Daily - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Pakistan and Afghanistan unable to reach agreement on third day of peace talks - India Today - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- No progress in Istanbul talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan - Azrtac - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Agreement Eludes Pakistan, Afghanistan After Three Days of Talks - The Diplomatic Insight - October 28th, 2025 [October 28th, 2025]
- Trump says he will solve Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis very quickly as peace talks enter second day - KYOU-TV - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- UN Warns About The Spike In Public Executions In Afghanistan - Forbes - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Trump says he will solve Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis 'very quickly' as peace talks enter second day - Imperial Valley Press Online - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Pakistan reports border clashes during talks with Afghanistan - The Economic Times - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - AP News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Trump says he will solve Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis 'very quickly' as peace talks enter second day - Toronto Star - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Trump says he will solve Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis 'very quickly' - thenationalnews.com - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Turkmenistan To Begin Gas Supply To Afghanistan By 2027, Says TAPI Project Head - - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Trump says he will solve Afghanistan-Pakistan crisis 'very quickly' as peace talks enter second day - The Spec - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Pakistan's warning to Afghanistan amid tensions: Minister Khawaja Asif lists options | World News - Hindustan Times - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Twin challenge? After India, Afghanistan may restrict river water supply to Pakistan; Taliban to construc - Times of India - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- After India's Indus Move, Afghanistan Plans to Control Pakistan's Waters with Dam on Kunar River: What We Know - Times Now - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Adventure tourists love Afghanistan. Are they a gift for the Taliban? - The Times - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- One family fled Afghanistan. Then US deportations scattered them across the world - AP News - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- 'We Need to Lead Our Own Narrative, Based on the Will of the People of Afghanistan' Former MP Fawzia Koofi Envisions a Post-Taliban Future -... - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Opinion | Bagram Blues: All About The Air Base That Triggered A War Between Pak And Afghanistan - NDTV - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan, Pakistan head to Trkiye for second round of talks | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - Imperial Valley Press Online - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - Temple Daily Telegram - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Opinion: Opinion | Pak's Great Game: What Rawalpindi Really Wants From Its War With Afghanistan - NDTV - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - livingstonenterprise.net - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan to limit water flow to Pakistan, announces plans to build dams on Kunar River - myind.net - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - Newswav - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - Toronto Star - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan and Pakistan head to Turkey for second round of crisis talks - thederrick.com - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Afghanistan's Taliban government plans to build dams on Kunar river, escalating water tensions with Pakistan - WION - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- After India, Afghanistan to restrict river water to Pakistan - madhyamamonline.com - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- 'Baseless claims': Afghanistan denies India's role in Pakistan conflict; rejects Islamabad's accusations - Times of India - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Tournament featuring Afghanistan womens refugee team moved to Morocco - AP News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]