B Stands for Biometrics

Good afternoon,

This week, the Biden administration announced that an initial group of 37,000 Afghans will soon be resettled across the country. While some of our Afghan allies are entering the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, others are entering with humanitarian parole – a status that does not provide the recipient with refugee services or benefits. As communities across 46 states prepare to welcome vulnerable Afghans, it is critical for Congress to back these efforts and ensure that (1) parolees are authorized to receive full resettlement benefits and services, and (2) communities have the resources they need to resettle these refugees safely and successfully into their new homes.

One potential barrier to achieving this support from Congress is ongoing disinformation regarding the lack of vetting of Afghans evacuees. In reality, they undergo extensive security vetting before entering the United States – a process that employs resources from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the Department of State and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These vetting procedures have been honed since the 9/11 attacks.

Today, Afghan evacuees are only permitted to enter the United States if they pass extensive biographical and biometric checks (such as facial recognition and fingerprint screenings). This information is also checked against the Terrorist Screening Database, and other criminal record databases. These robust vetting procedures ensure and enhance our national security.

Welcoming vulnerable Afghans –and providing them with the social services and community supports to succeed – will help stem the underlying causes of extremism and radicalization both at home and abroad. Join us in urging Congress to provide essential services to Afghan refugees and local communities. Providing a safe haven to our allies is not just a humanitarian benefit – it is a national security imperative.

Stay healthy and hopeful,

Adam

Adam Estle
Vice President of Field and Constituencies
National Immigration Forum 

P. S. In case you missed it, last week we hosted a webinar on what it's like for Dreamers, TPS holders and farmworkers to live in the U.S. without permanent status and what Congress can do to provide them with pathways forward.

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