Afghan-led groups are among the hosts of organizations welcoming introduction this week of bipartisan legislation creating a path to legalization for tens of thousands of Afghan refugees who’ve been evacuated to the U.S. since last summer. Among those who welcomed the bill was an affected individual whose live will remain limbo without it.
“Passing the Afghan Adjustment Act would be one step towards fulfilling one of the many promises US has made to their allies, especially Afghan women,” said Helal Massomi in a statement received by Daily Kos. The women’s rights activist was evacuated here last summer. “For people like myself, the Afghan Adjustment Act is the sole pathway to safety and a future in the United States.”
RELATED STORY: Bipartisan lawmakers in House and Senate introduce path to legal status for Afghan refugees
Campaign Action
As I noted yesterday, the bill would create a pathway to legalization for thousands of Afghan refugees who were evacuated to the U.S. through temporary, humanitarian parole. Either the asylum system or Special Immigrant Visa process (SIV) could grant them permanent relief, but “both face severe backlogs and long processing times,” lawmakers said.
The bill was introduced by bipartisan lawmakers in both the U.S. House and Senate, and has the support of Afghan-led organizations, including Afghans For A Better Tomorrow (AFBT), Afghan-American Community Organization (AACO), and Project ANAR, said Partnership for Advancement of New Americans (PANA) in a statement.
“Thousands of Afghans who were evacuated to the United States last summer had to endure the traumatic journey of having to flee their homeland,” the organizations said in the statement. “They should not be forced to individually relive that trauma through burdensome legal processes. This legislation would ensure that they do not have to.” Veterans organizations, human rights groups, refugee resettlement agencies, and other allies joined Afghan leaders to express support for the bill during a press conference in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
“Congress has a responsibility to help our Afghan allies,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, a cosponsor of the bill in the U.S. House. “There are thousands of Afghans who demonstrated allegiance to the U.S. during the war in Afghanistan currently in legal limbo. That uncertainty is unacceptable. Our bipartisan, bicameral Afghan Adjustment Act will provide stability for the people who put their lives on the line helping our troops and supporting America’s mission overseas. This bill should become law without delay.”
“The United States must keep its solemn promise to them by wasting no time in ensuring the successful passage of this bill through both chambers of Congress,” AFBT, AACO, PANA, and Project ANAR continued in their statement. “Historically, the U.S. has done so for Cuban, Vietnamese, Iraqi, and Cambodian refugee populations after they were forced to flee war and persecution in their native countries. We will not rest until the same happens for Afghans.”
There’s an easy way to send lawmakers a message in support of the Afghan Adjustment Act, thanks to the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Click here to access a tool that will send a message to your House members and Senators today.
RELATED STORIES:
Tens of thousands of Afghan allies are resettled throughout U.S. but still lack permanent relief
'The American dream I am enjoying today': Former interpreter urges permanent relief for Afghans
'Stranded and in danger': U.S. sued over unjust denials of humanitarian entry for Afghans