Extend the deadline, leave no one behind
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Press Release

 

 

For Immediate Release
Contact: Dan Gordon , 617-651-0841
Aug. 24, 2021

**Experts Lay Out Priorities for Afghan Evacuation, Resettlement**

**A recording of today's press call is available**

**here**

**.**

**WASHINGTON D.C.**-

****The Biden administration must allow more time to evacuate Afghans
who have assisted U.S. efforts and others who are at risk, leaders said
on a press call today, and agencies must have resources to resettle
those who are already arriving.

Speakers underscored the importance of continuing the evacuation past
the Aug. 31 troop withdrawal deadline in order to make sure we leave no
U.S. citizen, green card holder or Afghan ally behind.

The following are quotes from speakers on today's call:

**Myal Greene, President & CEO, World
Relief:                                      
                               **"At World
Relief, we're already actively welcoming Afghan allies in various
communities, with amazing support from local churches and communities,
but we're also doing all we can to keep the pressure on the Biden
administration to follow through on their commitment to stand with

**all**those whose lives are at risk because of their association with
the U.S. government's mission in Afghanistan, along with U.S.
citizens. We have a moral obligation to stand with those who have stood
with us, and the American people, including within the churches that
serve as the primary volunteer base for World Relief, are ready to
welcome."

**Dan Kosten, Assistant Vice President of Policy & Advocacy, National
Immigration Forum: **"The administration should focus on three
immediate priorities. First, the U.S. must extend the evacuation beyond
the Aug. 31st deadline. Anything less would be disastrous. Second, we
must maintain the number of people who can get inside the airport such
that they can be processed and put on aircraft. Third, government
agencies and their partners that help with resettlement in the U.S.,
must be provided with the resources to be able to welcome the thousands
of people who are already arriving."      

**         **

**Rick "Ozzie" Nelson,**

**Former Director, Office of Combating Terrorism, National Security
Council Staff under President George W. Bush; U.S. Navy helicopter pilot
and Afghanistan veteran; member of the Council on National Security and
Immigration (CNSI):              **"The Biden administration must
be willing to extend the withdrawal date past Aug. 31 to ensure the
evacuation of all U.S. citizens and Afghan SIV applicants and their
families. We have a moral obligation to the Afghans who served alongside
U.S. servicemembers, diplomats, and aid workers during the last twenty
years to ensure their safe passage. Our military performs superbly in
crisis situations, and we should continue to support their efforts to
strengthen the airport security perimeter and establish alternate safe
locations and transit corridors."

**Chris Palusky, President & CEO, Bethany Christian Services:       
                 **"Having lived and worked in Afghanistan
before and after Taliban rule, I've seen what it looks like for women
and girls to not have basic rights and for Christians and other
religious minorities to face intense persecution. It grieves me that
they and many of our allies may be left stranded. The U.S. government
needs to prioritize the protection of our Afghan allies like it
prioritized the withdrawal of U.S. forces. Our faith compels us to not
just love our neighbors, but to love our neighbors as ourselves."

###

 

 

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