Sacramento, California\u2014For many Afghan immigrants, arriving in the United States\u2014particularly California\u2014marks the beginning of a safer and more hopeful life. Yet for some, this new chapter is also shaped by experiences of discrimination and hate\u2014incidents that often go unspoken and unreported.<\/p>\n
An Afghan woman in Sacramento, who requested anonymity due to personal concerns, said she faced repeated hostility after starting work at a local store. \u201cOne customer told me to go back to my country,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was painful because I was just trying to do my job.\u201d<\/p>\n
In San Jose, Rahman Saber, a recently arrived Afghan man, described similar experiences in the workplace. \u201cA coworker would joke and say, \u2018You all came from war,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cMaybe it was a joke to him, but to me it felt disrespectful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Such encounters are not limited to workplaces. An Afghan student at American River College in Sacramento said he often feels reduced to stereotypes. \u201cWhen people find out I\u2019m Afghan, they immediately ask about the Taliban or war,\u201d he said. \u201cIt feels like that\u2019s the only way they see me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marzia Hamidi, an Afghan immigrant living in Fremont, said, \u201cSometimes it\u2019s not even direct insults; it\u2019s the way people look at you or how they avoid you once they hear where you\u2019re from. It makes you feel like you don\u2019t fully belong, even if no one says it openly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Community leaders say these experiences are not isolated. Hashamatullah Siddiqi, an Afghan community leader in Sacramento, said many Afghan immigrants\u2014especially women and newcomers\u2014face discrimination but lack the awareness and support needed to respond effectively.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cVarious committees are working on human rights protections for the Afghan Muslim community,\u201d Siddiqi said. \u201cBut unfortunately, many of these efforts have not been effective. People lack information and advocacy about their rights, which is why they remain silent.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
He added that discrimination affects a broad segment of the community, particularly those still adjusting to life in the United States. \u201cWomen, newcomers, and other vulnerable groups are facing hate and discrimination in different environments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Silence, Fear, and Limited Response<\/h3>\n
Despite these experiences, many Afghan immigrants choose not to report incidents of hate or discrimination.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost people prefer to stay silent,\u201d Siddiqi said. \u201cSome do report cases, especially in workplaces or schools, but often they feel that no real action is taken. That discourages others from speaking out.\u201d<\/p>\n
He emphasized that limited awareness and advocacy are key factors. \u201cThere needs to be more information-sharing and training so people understand their rights,\u201d he said. \u201cWithout that, silence will continue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Frozan Nikzad, an Afghan community ambassador with the City of Sacramento and a nonprofit director, echoed similar concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen our community faces discrimination and hate incidents, unfortunately, they prefer to remain silent rather than report it,\u201d she said. \u201cThere are several reasons\u2014fear, lack of awareness, language barriers, lack of trust, and most importantly, immigration status.\u201d<\/p>\n