FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2019
PRESS CONTACT
Henrike Dessaules, IRAP, hdessaules@refugeerights.org, 516.838.1269
IRAP LAUDS INTRODUCTION OF AFGHAN ALLIES PROTECTION ACT
(Washington, DC) – Today, a broad bipartisan, bicameral coalition introduced the Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2019. The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) lauds the introduction of this bill, which would ensure that Afghans who face danger because they worked for the United States have continued access to safety through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program.
IRAP’s Policy Counsel, Adam Bates, praised the initiative: “This act will provide an avenue to safety for thousands of Afghans who risked their lives on behalf of U.S. forces, and help ensure that the U.S. government makes good on its promise to protect those who are threatened for their service. This bill reflects a bipartisan consensus that wartime partners and their families should not be abandoned to fend for themselves.”
IRAP praises the leadership of leading co-sponsors in the House, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), and Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH). Other original cosponsors include: Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Don Young (R-AK), Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT), Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX), Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH), Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH), Rep. Steve Watkins (R-KS), Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI). Original Senate cosponsors are Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jack Reed (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tim Kaine (D-VA).
To view the press release, click here.
International Refugee Assistance Project
www.facebook.com/RefugeeAssist/
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