Chicago – March 15, 2024
As the US withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in 2021, millions of Afghans faced the danger of returning to Taliban rule. For thousands of them, the threat was very acute: they had collaborated with the departing Americans and could face Taliban reprisals as a result.
However, a long-running US program provided the opportunity to live abroad: translators, contractors, and other Afghan employees with direct ties to the US military were eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa, or SIV.
Less than three years later, activists are concerned that this restrictive immigration channel, which has been a cornerstone of Washington’s assistance efforts, will fall silently victim to Congressional deadlock.
To avoid a government shutdown, the legislature must enact a package of budget appropriations bills by March 22. However, critics fear that the package will fail to include further Special Immigrant Visas for Afghans, leaving them with even fewer alternatives for escaping potential threats.
On Thursday, a bipartisan group of legislators issued a letter (PDF) to Senate leaders encouraging them to include the Special Immigrant Visa provision in the final version of the spending measures.
