Join us in advocating for the Afghan Adjustment Act
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**B Stands for Benevolence**
Good afternoon,

It's been almost two years
<[link removed]> since
the United States withdrew its last troops from Kabul and yielded
Afghanistan to Taliban control, concluding a twenty-year military
operation. While the U.S. successfully assisted more than 120,000
Afghans
<[link removed]> in
fleeing the country, some 76,000
<[link removed].>
of these individuals have since been residing in the U.S. with an
uncertain immigration status as parolees. The National Immigration Forum
is pleased
<[link removed]> to
see the re-introduction of the 
Afghan Adjustment Act
<[link removed]>
today in both the House
<[link removed]> and
Senate
<[link removed]>. This
bill would provide a pathway to legal status for these Afghan evacuees.
It is now more imperative than ever
<[link removed]>
that our government takes steps to resolve the uncertain status of
Afghan parolees. Although these residents were granted humanitarian
parole, this is a temporary solution that forces Afghans to continuously
apply for a renewal of their protection status. Without a clear pathway
to citizenship, they face unpredictable futures where they fear for
their long-term security. Because their native country is governed by an
oppressive regime
<[link removed]>,
the United States is now one of the only places these Afghans can call
home.

Throughout the past few years, the contributions of immigrants to our
communities have been prominently showcased. During the pandemic, many
immigrants risked their health to provide indispensable services to our
economy, taking on jobs in agriculture
<[link removed]>,
healthcare
<[link removed]>,
and other essential industries
<[link removed]>.
Amid a post-pandemic recovery, immigrants continue to perform some of
the most important jobs in the country, keeping our economy afloat. With
many businesses continuing to struggle with workforce shortages, the
integration of Afghan refugees is a golden opportunity to alleviate
these shortages
<[link removed]>
and thereby ease inflation and supply chain delays.

The United States also has a humanitarian interest in facilitating the
integration of Afghan evacuees. After courageously supporting U.S.
troops in the fight against the Taliban for years on end, these native
Afghans were forced to evacuate their homes and leave their families and
communities behind. It is our moral duty to return the favor of their
service and give them the opportunity to forge meaningful futures. The
best way to show our gratitude is to provide a path to permanent
residence.

Our country has always been a place of opportunity and renewed hope. To
maintain this reputation, we need to continue to offer refuge to those
who are most in need. Our Afghan neighbors are still reeling from the
fall of their country to the Taliban, and they deserve a new beginning.
Let's continue to advocate for them by urging members of Congress
<[link removed]> to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act. It is
important to keep our representatives accountable and implore them to
provide more permanent welcome to our Afghan friends and allies, many of
whom bravely fought alongside our military for years and have since
enriched the economy and culture of our communities.

Stay optimistic and resilient,

Oula

**Oula Alrifai**
Assistant Vice President of Field & Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

**Our team would like to thank Robbie Silver, Field and Constituencies
Intern, for his extensive contributions to this report.**

**NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:**

****

**THE WALL STREET JOURNAL:**Immigration backlashes spread around the
world
<[link removed]>

**AXIOS:**Undocumented Massachusetts immigrants can now get a driver's
license
<[link removed]>

**THE NEW YORK TIMES:**Number of migrants at the border plunges as
Mexico helps U.S. to stem flow
<[link removed]>

**USA TODAY:**As new Florida immigration law takes effect, undocumented
workers ask: Do I stay or go?
<[link removed]>

**NBC NEWS:**4 people, including an infant, drown in Rio Grande over
holiday weekend
<[link removed]>

**ASSOCIATED PRESS:**US citizenship test changes are coming, raising
concerns for those with low English skills
<[link removed]>

 

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