FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2022
PRESS CONTACT
Spencer Tilger | media@refugeerights.org
IRAP Urges Congress to Pass Afghan Adjustment Act
(New York, NY) – Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee released text for the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill that does not include the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA), which would provide a pathway to permanent lawful status for tens of thousands of Afghans who were evacuated to the United States during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The bill does include an extension of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghan nationals who worked for the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and would authorize additional visas.
The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) has long advocated for passage of the AAA alongside continued support of the SIV program. Congress and the Biden administration must work together to provide pathways to permanent safety for Afghans evacuated to the United States as well as to those left behind after the U.S. withdrawal.
IRAP Policy Director, Sunil Varghese, said:
“While IRAP welcomes the common-sense extension of the Afghan SIV program and the authorization of an additional 4,000 visas, it is deeply disappointing that Congress yet again failed to provide a pathway to permanent status for Afghans who were evacuated to the United States. The Afghan Adjustment Act has overwhelming bipartisan support from both chambers, as well as from veterans, faith groups, and communities across the country.
Passing the AAA and continuing to support the SIV program are both vital to fulfilling the promise the U.S. government made to Afghans targeted by the Taliban, especially those who risked their lives to support the U.S. mission. Congress must prioritize passing the AAA as soon as possible, and we urge Majority Leader Schumer to bring the bill to the floor as an amendment.”
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