Almost 150 from the American University of Afghanistan were evacuated, but thousands still want to leave

Washington — Nearly 150 students and staff from the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF) were evacuated before the U.S. completed its withdrawal at the end of August. But that was short of the AUAF administration's goal to get 1,200 out of the country, and now the university is working to move out the remainder as the Taliban government takes hold. 

In secondary schools, the Taliban has ordered boys back to the classroom — but not girls — prompting fears that girls and women will be denied an education, as they were the last time the Taliban was in power two decades ago.

"It's still our commitment to relocate any of our students and personnel who request it," said Ian Bickford, president of the university. "We're advocating at every level of government. We are paying close attention to conditions to look for any opportunity to continue the resettlement of people. The fact is most movement out of Afghanistan is paused right now."