Life in Afghanistan continues to be dangerous, especially for Afghans who worked for the U.S. military as interpreters or in other capacities. Because of their work for the United States, these men and women are often the target of threats and violent attacks, yet many of them are still waiting for their visas that would allow them to be resettled.
A recent article in the U.S. News and World Report addresses the uncertain future of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program, which has yet to be extended past the end of this year. Without additional visas, thousands of Afghan allies and their families could be stuck in danger.
According to IRAP’s policy director, Betsy Fisher, who is quoted in the article, “[t]his isn’t an immigration program, it’s a program of national security. […] How Afghan interpreters are treated could determine the willingness of people in other countries to cooperate with U.S. forces in the future.”
Read more about how important the SIV program is for the lives of those affected here.