According to the report, many Afghans in the Emirates Humanitarian City facility continue to suffer from depression, have no access to legal counsel, and have inadequate educational services for their children. "Living conditions have also deteriorated significantly, with detainees describing overcrowding, decay of infrastructure, and insect infestations." 

A UAE official told Reuters that the country continues to work with the U.S. and other international partners to help resettle remaining evacuees, per the original agreement, notes Landay.  

Many Afghans have been left in legal limbo abroad and their lives are full of uncertainty. Allies already resettled in the U.S. have experienced some relief, but still need permanent protections to secure their futures here.  

A permanent legal pathway for them is in our legislators’ hands through the Afghan Adjustment Act. Today, we’re holding a Day of Action to mobilize supporters to urge Congress to reintroduce and support this bill. Will you join our cause? 

Our recent poll shows that 68% of Americans support "the U.S. providing refuge for individuals and families fleeing serious persecution and torture." In addition, 71% agree that "welcoming newcomers to our communities is an American value." Congress can honor this value by offering a permanent solution to those Afghans already resettled across our communities.   

Welcome to Thursday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Clara Villatoro, the Forum’s strategic communications manager, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Dynahlee Padilla-Vasquez and Katie Lutz. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected]. 

FOREIGN DOCTORS — A bipartisan bill spearheaded by North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis (R) and others could help understaffed rural hospitals address doctor shortages in the state, reports Victor Skinner of The Center Square. The bill would allow international doctors who complete their residency in the U.S. to stay in country to serve needed areas while also addressing visa backlogs. 

MORE BORDER RESOURCES — U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz told House Republicans on Wednesday that his agency needs more technology and resources to better manage the increasing levels of migration and other pressures at the border, per Suzanne Monyak of Roll Call. Ortiz said that one priority will be hiring employees who focus on processing migrants into the country.  

‘HEW TO THE VALUES’ — Some Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are voicing their concerns over the Biden administration’s plans to potentially reinstate family detention, per Greg Sargent in an op-ed for The Washington Post. "Biden should hew to the values that led him to criticize the practice in the first place and forcefully defend that decision," he concludes. We agree: Family detention runs counter to American values. 

PENDING FEE INCREASE — A group of bipartisan senators, including Maine Independent Senator Angus King, sent a letter to heads of DHS and USCIS on Tuesday to not raise the cost of fees for temporary work visas, reports Phil Hirschkorn of WMTW. King noted that the new fees could affect small businesses and farms in Maine. Similarly, touring musicians, historians, and other groups are also warning about potential negative effects of the new regulation, per Andrew Kreighbaum of Bloomberg Law. 

Thanks for reading, 

Clara