Good afternoon,

It’s been almost two years 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 in fleeing the country, some 76,000 of these individuals have since been residing in the U.S. with an uncertain immigration status as parolees. The National Immigration Forum is pleased to see the re-introduction of the 
Afghan Adjustment Act today in both the House and Senate. This bill would provide a pathway to legal status for these Afghan evacuees.

It is now more imperative than ever 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, 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, healthcare, and other essential industries. 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 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 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.

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