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Afghan Immigration: Economic and Cultural Challenges ([link removed])
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 20, 2026) – A new report ([link removed]) from the Center for Immigration Studies finds that the rapid growth of the Afghan immigrant population in the United States has produced significant economic and cultural challenges, particularly for communities subject to rapid demographic change.

In his analysis, Resident Scholar Jason Richwine​ highlights data from the 2024 American Community Survey showing that the Afghan immigrant population has more than doubled since 2020, rising from approximately 111,000 to over 230,000 as the result of the large-scale admissions during and after the 2021 evacuation from Afghanistan.

The report documents substantial disparities between Afghan immigrants and the native-born population. While Afghan immigrant men have relatively high employment rates, ​the reluctance of women to enter the labor force offsets the benefits. In addition, the low levels of education and limited English proficiency contribute to persistent poverty and heavy reliance on means-tested public benefits.​

“Humanitarian instincts must be balanced with long-term realities,” said Richwine. “Resettling displaced populations closer to their cultural and ethnic regions could reduce social conflict and allow limited resources to help far more people than permanent relocation to the United States.”

Key findings:​
* Child poverty: Approximately 76 percent of children in Afghan immigrant households live in or near the poverty line, compared to 30 percent of children in native-headed households.


* Educational attainment: Recent Afghan immigrants are now six times more likely than native adults to lack a high school diploma, a gap that has widened dramatically since 2000.


* Welfare dependence: 47 percent of Afghan immigrant-headed households receive food stamps, and 68 percent have at least one member on Medicaid. The vast majority of households with children (85 percent) receive cash assistance, food stamps, or Medicaid.


* The states with the largest per capita Afghan immigrant populations: Virginia, Washington, Nebraska, California, and South Dakota.


* Cultural integration: Survey data ​in Afghanistan, one of the most fundamentalist Islamic countries in the world, show support for practices sharply at odds with American legal and social norms.​ They indicate ​85 percent of Muslims support stoning as a punishment for adultery, 61 percent wish to apply Sharia law to non-Muslims, and 61 percent endorse "honor killings" of unchaste family members. ​


* Security concerns: ​Recent Afghan immigrants have been involved in plotting or carrying out terrorist​ attacks against Americans.

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