One year ago this month, U.S. forces left Afghanistan after 20 years of war.

I was not going to extend this forever war, and I was not extending a forever exit.

The evacuation was chaos, especially for Afghans fleeing the Taliban's new rule.

I could not believe it. No, it is not true.

We lost our friends, our father and mother.

We lost all of them.

Tens of thousands of Afghan refugees have now settled in the U.S.

And starting over brings its own battles.

I'm Gustavariano.

You're listening to The Times,

essential news from the L.A. Times.

It's Monday, August 29, 2022.

Thank you. 2022. Today, some 94, some 94,000 Afghan nationals, American citizens, and lawful permanent residents,

have arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome.

They've settled across the United States with the largest populations in California and Texas.

Reporter Sarah Parvina and photojournalist Marcus Iam profiled some Afghan nationals who came here following the withdrawal from Afghanistan last year.

Sarah, Marcus, welcome the Times.

Thank you.

Thank you for having us on.

Sarah, California has one of the biggest communities of Afghanistan island seekers in the United States,

but also longstanding communities, too,

like in Fremont and in Orange County.

...