This Issue: Biden under pressure to admit ALL Afghan evacuees

With all eyes on Afghanistan, we're keeping watch on how the Biden Administration deals with and will continue to deal with the tens of thousands of Afghans being evacuated by U.S. forces.

Pres. Biden is under tremendous pressure from outside groups to transport Afghans to the U.S. even before their vetting process for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) or refugee status is complete. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has said that the administration will simply parole anyone who doesn't have a visa while their status is in limbo.

While polling has shown that Americans are sympathetic to Afghans whose lives are at risk under the new Taliban regime, that doesn't mean that Americans support resettling all of them halfway around the world, knowing there are potential security risks.

The defense and intelligence publication, Defense One, is reporting that approximately 100 Afghans transported to U.S. bases overseas have been flagged as potential security risks.

But in at least one case, the evacuee "looks like a potential member of ISIS," the first official said. "They're still working that through."

Congress has authorized two Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs for Afghans who worked with the United States over the last two decades. While many of the Afghans fleeing the country will be funneled through one of these two programs, the Biden Administration has also created a priority refugee program for Afghans who don't qualify.

Translators/Interpreters

The first program, and the most selective, provides up to 50 SIVs per year for Iraqis or Afghans who served as a translator/interpreter for U.S. forces. Their spouses and minor children are also eligible for visas and don't count towards the annual cap.

In order to qualify, translators must have worked with U.S. forces for at least 12 months and must obtain a favorable recommendation from a senior-level officer.

Since the program's inception, approximately 750 Afghans, plus their family members, have been approved for the visa, totaling about 2,100 visas.

Most agree, that, despite the risks, this is the group most deserving of permanent resettlement in the United States after appropriate vetting. Most have put their lives on the line for the U.S. effort, working alongside service members on the frontlines.

Workers on behalf of U.S. Gov't and Allies

Congress has also authorized an SIV program for Afghans who worked on behalf of the U.S. government or our allies. Initially, the program provided 1,500 SIVs per year for 5 years starting in 2009 with any unused visas rolling over into future years. Like the translator/interpreter program, spouses and minor children are also eligible for visas and exempt from the cap.

Congress has extended this program on multiple occasions, and since 2008, 74,000 Afghans (21,000 principal and 53,000 family members) have received SIVs.

To qualify, individuals must have worked on behalf of the U.S. government or its allies for at least a year, must receive a letter of recommendation, and must have experienced or be experiencing a serious threat because of their employment.

While some Afghans may have done important work, most performed jobs out of harms way and with little to no loyalty to the United States and its allies. Center for Immigration Studies Executive Director Mark Krikorian wrote in National Review that most took the job "because the jobs offered good pay in real money."

P-2 Refugee Program

Earlier this month, the Biden Administration announced the Priority 2 refugee program. This is a catch-all program for any Afghan that doesn't qualify for an SIV and isn't subject to any numerical limitations. In other words, Pres. Biden can admit anyone and everyone he wants.

In addition to the security risks that all of these programs present, all Afghans resettled in the U.S. will receive work permits and taxpayer-funded assistance.

As a reminder, NumbersUSA supports resettling our fair share of internationally-recognized refugees who are in need of permanent resettlement, while also recognizing that it is often best for refugees to be resettled as geographically close to their country of origin as possible

In other refugee-related news, the Supreme Court delivered a blow to the Biden Administration's immigration policy this week when it upheld the "Remain in Mexico" policy employed by the Trump Administration to end the 2019 border surge. It is yet to be seen if Mexico will cooperate with this policy requiring most asylum seekers at the southern border to remain in Mexico while their case is evaluated but it is certainly one of the most effective tools the U.S. has in regaining control of the southern border.

Chris Chmielenski NumbersUSA Deputy Director