This isn’t about politics. It is about what is right.
Since U.S. forces first touched down in Afghanistan 20 years ago, tens of thousands of our Afghan allies have stepped up to help. From interpreting for U.S. military forces to aiding diplomats, they've risked everything to protect American values. Now, as many as 70,000 of our Afghan allies and their families may be eligible for humanitarian protection in the United States.
The Biden administration has made plans to fully withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan by September, and possibly as soon as July, placing some of our Afghan allies in danger. Many of those who helped U.S. forces over the past 20 years have received death threats from the Taliban – both against themselves and their families. Once the U.S. has fully withdrawn, their lives will be at far greater risk.
Calls for aid to our Afghan allies are coming from all corners of Congress and from both sides of the aisle. Just this past Friday, a group of bipartisan lawmakers sent a letter to the president calling for immediate action and highlighting the "moral failure" of denying aid to our allies.
The next steps are obvious. This needs to happen, and it needs to happen fast.
Evacuation won’t be easy. It will require collaboration from the best and brightest across the Departments of State, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, and Defense. But with time to plan and strong interagency cooperation, we can ensure our allies are safe. That’s why the Biden administration must act now to devise a strategy to take current Afghan SIV applicants, other Afghan allies who are eligible for humanitarian protection in the U.S., and their families to safety.
Americans always do their part to help their friends. This is not a political decision. It is a display of strategy, strength, and strong American values.
Thank you for all you do for refugees and immigrants across the country,
Dan Kosten Assistant Vice President of Policy and Advocacy National Immigration Forum
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