Catch up on the latest news from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.
** Welcome to This Week at LIRS!
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Every week, we catch you up on what's new at LIRS—from upcoming events to media appearances, important immigration updates, and more.
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A Tragic Loss of Life
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"Sohail Pardis' barbaric murder represents a tragic example of allies left behind and in harm's way because of how the law defines who is worthy of protection. Currently, eligibility requirements ([link removed].) for the SIV program mandate two years of service for, or on behalf of, the US government. There are countless additional would-be applicants in desperate need of protection who do not meet this standard, including Pardis, who served as an interpreter for 16 months. And yet, the Taliban does not distinguish between those who supported America for two months or two years."
After a former interpreter for the United States was murdered, LIRS CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah penned an op-ed for CNN encouraging the United States to act now to prevent the loss of more lives.
Content warning: This article contains upsetting details.
Read the Op-Ed ([link removed])
When our Afghan allies and their families arrive as "walk-ins," they often have no money, nowhere to stay, and nothing to eat. Unfortunately, there is typically a 5-7 day gap between the families’ arrivals and the services they are eligible to receive through the United States resettlement program.
This is where you can help. Your gift to Neighbors in Need: Afghan Allies will provide food, housing assistance, clothing, and other basic needs for our Afghan friends as they await the official services available to them.
Donate today. ([link removed])
“To date, there is simply no clear plan as to how the vast majority of our allies will be brought to safety.”
LIRS President and CEO Krish O’Mara Vignarajah was featured in an Associated Press article about the arrival of the first 200 Afghan allies to Ft. Lee.
Read the article ([link removed]) .
As the first plane of Afghan allies arrives in the US, LIRS celebrates their safety and the bipartisan support for legislation that will protect more of those who risked their lives for the U.S. mission. As Krish O'Mara Vignarajah mentions in her statement concerning the news, however, LIRS is calling for the rapid evacuation to US soil of the more than 18,000 of our allies left behind.
Read the statement. ([link removed])
TAKE ACTION TODAY! Make your voice heard and urge the administration to provide urgent humanitarian protection and evacuation for the thousands of Afghan allies still in Afghanistan who have put their lives on the line for our country.
Send a message to the White House ([link removed]) .
Do you want to know more about the Afghans we are trying to protect? Do you want to understand more about the Special Immigrant Visa program? Check out our explainer video, which shares more information on the SIV process, LIRS's role in it, and why evacuation is so critically important.
Watch the video. ([link removed])
** Coming Next Week!
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On August 3, join hundreds of families, congregations, and communities across the country to learn about the history and culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During this webinar, we will kick off Gather: DRC through an evening of worship, food, art, and music!
Register today. ([link removed])
Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE ([link removed]) to our YouTube channel!
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