B Stands for Botched

Good afternoon,

Over the last several days, we have heard gut-wrenching reports about the deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan as the Taliban regains control of the country. As the U.S. proceeds with its planned military withdrawal, many vulnerable Afghans left behind now fear for their lives and are desperate to escape.

Afghan nationals have provided critical assistance to the U.S. over the last 20 years as interpreters, advisors, embassy staff, security personnel and in other key roles. Afghans have also supported USAID and provided leadership in development projects related to health, education and women’s empowerment. These Afghan allies and partners are now in immediate danger of retribution from the Taliban.

In April, President Biden announced his plan to withdraw all U.S. troops from Afghanistan. Since then, advocates have called on the administration to quickly evacuate our Afghan allies and their families, but minimal progress has been made. Congress voted to increase the number of Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) available, but backlogs in processing have left approximately 18,000 applicants awaiting resettlement. Only 2,000 approved SIV applicants have arrived in the U.S. since July. The Department of State recently created a Priority-2 refugee designation for certain Afghan nationals who do not qualify for SIVs. However, in order to qualify for P-2 designation, applicants are required to first leave Afghanistan and apply from a third country. With the Taliban in control of key border crossings and neighboring countries closing their borders, it has grown increasingly difficult for Afghans to flee.  

Now that the Taliban has overtaken the Afghan government, a full-blown humanitarian crisis has erupted. On Monday, 46 senators sent a bipartisan letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, urging the administration to use humanitarian parole to save Afghan women leaders who are now under threat from the Taliban.

The situation is dire. Faith and national security leaders have responded to the crisis, urging President Biden to act urgently. "The Biden administration’s blind eye to Afghan nationals is a stain on the United States," said Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum.

Rick "Ozzie" Nelson, former Director of the Office of Combating Terrorism, National Security Council staffer and U.S. Navy helicopter pilot in Afghanistan, said: "For months, the Council on National Security and Immigration has asked the Biden administration to act swiftly and protect Afghans who served alongside American servicemembers, diplomats, and aid workers. While our embassy in Kabul has been shuttered, our moral obligation to assist our Afghan allies remains."

In a letter to President Biden, members of the Evangelical Immigration Table wrote, "Our government has a particular obligation to those who are now facing threats upon their lives due to their service to the United States, and to go back on our commitment to them would be a moral failing with reverberating consequences for decades to come."

Our allies and other vulnerable Afghans (like the small Christian population) are in grave danger. We must continue to pressure the Biden administration to fulfil our moral obligation until a safe evacuation has been completed. Please join us in taking action on this important issue.

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Adam

Adam Estle
Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

NEWS CLIPS TO NOTE:

NBC NEWS: The coming U.S. political fight over accepting refugees from Afghanistan

BAPTIST NEWS GLOBAL: ‘Humanitarian catastrophe’ unfolding in Afghanistan

REUTERS: U.S. plans to double number of asylum officers in Biden border overhaul

USA TODAY: Biden administration appeals federal judge's 'Remain in Mexico' policy reinstatement ruling