The events surrounding the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 led to a significant number of Afghan citizens seeking exile and evacuation from the country. With the Taliban’s resurgence, the United States and its allies-initiated efforts to evacuate Afghan citizens, including interpreters, translators, and individuals who had worked alongside foreign forces. These evacuation efforts aimed to provide refuge and support to those facing potential threats or reprisals from the Taliban.
In August 2021, the U.S. launched Operation Allies Refuge, which involved the evacuation of Afghan nationals to the United States. As part of this effort, the U.S. government facilitated the relocation of Afghan citizens to various locations across the United States. The exact number of Afghan citizens who were evacuated and relocated to the United States is not known but according to the State Department and other sources, around 120,000 people have been evacuated from Afghanistan to the United States and the Middle East.
Sacramento County, California, is well-known for its Afghan immigrant population. Between 2012 and 2022, Sacramento County has received a significant number of Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders. This can be attributed to factors such as favorable weather conditions and robust support from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Afghan businesses and investments have been increasing in Sacramento since 2020. The influx of Afghan evacuees and their entrepreneurial endeavors contribute to the diversity and economic growth of the region. These businesses, particularly Halal and Afghan supermarkets, cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Afghan community while also offering a unique shopping experience for residents in general.
The establishment of these businesses not only provides essential goods and services but also creates job opportunities and stimulates local economies. The entrepreneurial spirit displayed by Afghan evacuees is admirable, as they navigate a new environment and contribute to their new communities. The success of these businesses can be attributed to the hard work, determination, and skills of the Afghan entrepreneurs, as well as the support and acceptance they receive from the local community.
Sacramento’s residents can now enjoy a broader range of culinary experiences and cultural offerings through the presence of these Afghan businesses. This growth reflects the resilience and resourcefulness of the Afghan community and their desire to establish a prosperous and vibrant life in their new surroundings.
Kauser News spoke with an Afghan national who came to Sacramento via the SIV process in 2017. He requested to remain anonymous. He is 38 years old, a husband, and a father to 4 children. After 8 months of cash and food assistance through DHA, he started a warehouse job for $14 an hour and began driving for Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex, and Door Dash.
This is just one example of the significant economic challenges many immigrants and refugees face when starting their lives in a new country. They often encounter language barriers, unfamiliar job markets, and limited initial resources. Many Afghan immigrants in the Sacramento area have opened their own small businesses, or are seeking to do so, in an effort to gain financial stability and success.
Our anonymous source commented, “I am happy to see more Afghan businesses around and to see them representing Afghan culture and customs. It’s important to commend their hard work and determination in navigating the challenges of establishing a new life in Sacramento. “
However, he continued on to note he is concerned by practices that he has witnessed in several businesses such as cashing out EBT funds for a fee or applying EBT funds to non-food purchases, and hiring and paying employees under the table.
This points to the need among prospective and existing Afghan business owners for education and guidance to ensure that they are following laws and regulations that govern the establishing and running of a business and the risk associated with not doing so. This is important as a protection for not only their customers and employees but to protect the business itself and their ability to become and continue to be successful and profitable business owners.
