FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2020
PRESS CONTACT
Henrike Dessaules
hdessaules@refugeerights.org
516-838-1269
IRAP WELCOMES BIPARTISAN LETTER IN SUPPORT OF EXTENDED VISAS, DEADLINES FOR IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES DURING PANDEMIC
(New York, NY) – IRAP commends Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) for their leadership calling on the Administration to ensure that Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and refugees don’t face additional harm from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the Senators’ joint letter to the Departments of State and Homeland Security, IRAP’s Director of Strategy Betsy Fisher made the following statement:
“Refugees fleeing danger and persecution will face even longer delays in resettlement due to this pandemic. Many Iraqi and Afghan wartime partners who have completed years of processing to obtain an SIV will see their visas expire and remain in danger. Senators Lankford and Leahy’s vital advocacy and bipartisan support urges the Administration to extend deadlines and validity periods so these individuals can arrive in safety without further delay.”
To view the letter, click here.
To view the press release, click here.