Clermont Times

Washington, D.C. - Reps. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Jason Crow (D-CO) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Afghan Allies Protection Act to help the United States honor its promises to our Afghan partners who supported our efforts in Afghanistan over two decades. The bill aims to provide longer term stability and greater efficiency to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. This legislation would create transparency in the process by requiring the State Department to publish their strategy for addressing the persistent delays and the backlog within the system so that our Afghan partners who assisted U.S. troops and diplomats during the twenty year-long war in Afghanistan can obtain visas. They worked with us, and many died with us.

“As a veteran, it breaks my heart to hear of the danger our Afghan interpreters and allies have been placed in following America’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. America made a commitment to our Afghan allies and interpreters, and we have an obligation to keep our word to these partners who stood together with us through 20 years of battle in Afghanistan,” said Rep. Wenstrup. “This proposal will help us keep that commitment by allowing more Afghan allies to obtain Special Immigrant Visas and addressing problems that prevent individuals from completing the SIV process. I urge my colleagues to follow through on our obligation and show the world that as Americans, when we make a promise, we keep it.”

“I served alongside Afghan partners. I might not be here today without them. Our nation is safer for their bravery, yet thousands are left waiting for the US to fulfill the promise we made to give them safe harbor,” said Rep. Crow. “This legislation breaks down the bureaucratic blockades so many of our Afghan partners have faced by extending the Afghan Special Visa Program, increasing the number of visas available, and addressing the backlog of applicants. Our Afghan partners helped us at great risk to their own lives. It is our duty to honor this promise–turning our backs on them during their time of need is not an option.”

“Tens of thousands of Afghan allies risked their lives and the lives of their families to help our country. We must keep our promise to protect them,” said Rep. Blumenauer. “I helped create the Special Immigrant Visa program with former Senators John McCain and Ted Kennedy to meet these obligations. The Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2023 builds on this critical work and brings us that much closer to keeping our commitment for all who served.”

“Afghanistan might not be on the front pages anymore, but the United States cannot forget about the promise we made to our Afghan allies who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Americans throughout 20 years of war. Our nation promised to stand by them as they stood by us. They held up their end of the deal – the U.S. must do the same,” said Sen. Shaheen. “This bipartisan legislation directly addresses the systemic issues with the Afghan SIV program that I uncovered so we can get our allies to safety as swiftly as possible. I’m proud to have Senator Wicker as my partner on this effort. Every day our allies remain in Afghanistan under Taliban rule is another day that their lives – and the lives of their families – hang in the balance. We saw a strong bipartisan determination in Congress to support our Afghan allies in the immediate aftermath of U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan – I urge lawmakers to remember that commitment and to support our bipartisan proposal that would ensure the program runs as efficiently as possible. This is about keeping our word to our allies and maintaining our position as a trusted partner.”

“America made a promise to those who served alongside our armed forces in Afghanistan. Following the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, these allies are even more at risk,” said Sen. Wicker. “The U.S. has a moral obligation to follow through and help these supporters who have given invaluable assistance to our forces for over 20 years.”

Background: Companion legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Sens. Shaheen and Wicker. This legislation would increase the authorization of Special Immigrant Visas by 20,000 and extend the Afghan SIV program through 2029. Rep. Wenstrup has supported previous SIV legislation, including the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act and the ALLIES Act. Rep. Wenstrup also was a member of the Honoring our Promises Working Group following the Administration's announcement of a September 11, 2021 withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan. The group sent a letter calling on President Biden to make good on his promises and ensure that Afghans who worked together with the U.S. could access the SIV and the U.S. Refugee Admissions Programs.

Original source can be found here.