Good afternoon, 

Nearly one year ago, on August 15, 2021, Taliban took over Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, as the United States completed its military withdrawal from the country. The fall of the elected Afghan government, which had been supported by the U.S. for two decades, has led to a massive human tragedy, refugee crisis, and overwhelming uncertainty.  

Our allies were left alone to face the brutality of the Taliban and remnants of al-Qaeda. And a majority of those fortunate enough to make it to the United States live in bureaucratic limbo. The Biden Administration evacuated more than 124,000 Afghans; parents, children, and elderly. They have resettled here, yet they still fear an unknown future. Many of our allies are here on humanitarian parole or Temporary Protected Status (TPS), neither of which provides a permanent path to legal status. Additionally, a heavily backlogged system means the opportunities for asylum and work permit applications are limited. 

In a step toward providing these Afghans some certainty, this week Democrats and Republicans introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation, known as the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow Afghans in the U.S. to apply for permanent legal status.  

Council on Nation Security and Immigration (CNSI) leader and Afghanistan veteran, Rick "Ozzie" Nelson argues that failing to address the uncertainty these allies and evacuees face could harm America’s national security. Passing an Afghan Adjustment Act would provide a stable future for our allies and demonstrate to the world that our nation does not abandon its friends. 



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