Staff Reports
Mohammad Pashtun, an Afghan evacuee now living in the United States, recently navigated the rather bizarre experience of confronting American scammers. While working as a Lyft driver, he received a suspicious call demanding his personal information under the pretense that a customer was questioning his identity. Fortunately, prior training through Lutheran Social Services had him wary enough to hang up the phone and contact Lyft directly, who assured him they had no connection to the elusive caller. In a world where Americans are increasingly vigilant against scams, Pashtun’s story illustrates that even those new to the country must still learn to fend off those looking to take advantage.
Pashtun’s shaky journey reflects a reality facing thousands of Afghans who have resettled in America since the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. With his engineering background rendered nearly useless due to a lack of certifications, he now finds himself preparing for exams to become a concrete inspector while juggling English classes and other gigs on TaskRabbit. He quickly learned that success in America often relies less on degrees and more on a collection of certifications, a reality that has led many newcomers to scramble for better qualifications.
Three years on, Afghan evacuees strive to find their place in D.C. region https://t.co/cF0Mfy8GZ7
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) August 28, 2024
The post-Kabul exodus continues to ripple through American communities, even as the once frantic flow of evacuees has slowed to a trickle. Aid organizations, initially inundated with assisting newly arrived families, have now transitioned to focusing on long-term sustainability for these individuals and their families. While some government assistance was available at first, the reality of finding stable employment and navigating life in a new country rests heavily upon the shoulders of the evacuees themselves, who now must actively learn the ropes of American culture, including the principles of credit scores and banking—concepts that were likely foreign to them before their relocation.
As many Afghans finally grasp the complexities of American life, reports reveal that the struggles don’t merely revolve around job placement; they also include emotional challenges such as disillusionment and feelings of abandonment. American veterans who spent years in Afghanistan feel a shared sense of disappointment for the individuals they left behind, questioning why they haven’t been able to establish connections with those they once served alongside. Meanwhile, some Afghan women express isolation, unable to transition effectively into their new lives due to language barriers and cultural norms that don’t align with American expectations.
The efforts of Lutheran Social Services and other nonprofits paint a picture of community support that has seen a variety of organizations step up to assist the Afghan evacuee population. Financial constraints are pushing men to work multiple jobs, while traditional views on women working outside the home still pose challenges. As families grapple with high living costs, there’s a growing acceptance among some Afghan men that dual-income households may be necessary for financial survival, albeit with lingering cultural hesitations.
Even as Pashtun and others like him begin to carve out a niche in America, they face persistent hurdles, including a healthcare transition that has led to unexpected allergic reactions from American foods. The new environment brings challenges, such as comprehending the necessity of learning English sooner rather than later and adapting to a different lifestyle. Pashtun’s wife, a finance officer who became a U.S. citizen after assisting the U.S. effort in Afghanistan, now finds herself excited to vote in her first American election—an ironic twist reflecting both opportunity and the complexities of their journey.
Pashtun’s ongoing journey serves as a reminder that escaping turmoil does not automatically equate to a smooth transition into a new life. Instead, it highlights a multi-faceted adjustment process filled with cultural, economic, and health-related obstacles, revealing insights about what it truly takes to thrive in the land of liberty.
