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May 01

Press Release: IRAP Applauds Inclusion of 2,500 Visas for Afghan Allies in Spending Bill

  • May 1, 2017
  • Press Links, Press Releases
  • Afghan allies, Afghan interpreters, Congress, pressroom, Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                     

May 1, 2017

PRESS CONTACT

Henrike Dessaules

hdessaules@refugeerights.org

646.459.3081

 

IRAP APPLAUDS INCLUSION OF 2,500 VISAS FOR AFGHAN ALLIES IN SPENDING BILL

FISHER: “Our Afghan partners have faced unacceptable delays due to congressional inaction, which can only endanger our troops and other U.S. Government personnel. This legislation fills the gap and provides safe passage for translators and other staff who face serious danger for their service.”

(New York, NY) – The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) at the Urban Justice Center applauds the inclusion of 2,500 visas for Afghan allies in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017. After Congress failed to authorize sufficient visas in previous legislation, the SIV program stopped all applicant interviews in March 2017, leaving thousands of Afghan allies in limbo after their sacrifice to protect U.S. Government personnel in Afghanistan. The legislation released today, which approves spending through the end of fiscal year 2017, includes 2,500 visas for these mission-critical Afghan allies.

“Our Afghan partners have faced unacceptable delays due to congressional inaction, which can only endanger our troops and other U.S. Government personnel. This legislation fills the gap and provides safe passage for translators and other staff who face serious danger for their service,” said Betsy Fisher, Policy Director of IRAP.

“Local allies are essential for the security of our soldiers, Marines, diplomats, and other U.S. Government personnel in Afghanistan,” said Mac McEachin, IRAP’s National Security Policy Associate. “The SIV program is a tactical necessity: it protects the allies who serve as our troops’ eyes and ears on the ground.”

Major congressional champions for wartime allies include Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Jack Reed (D-RI); and Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Brad Wenstrup (R-OH) and Tim Ryan (D-OH). IRAP is also grateful to Veterans for American Ideals, Refugee Council USA, and Beena Patel and Joshua Andrews of FaegreBD Consulting for their powerful advocacy.

To view the press release, click here: IRAP APPLAUDS INCLUSION OF 2,500 VISAS FOR AFGHAN ALLIES IN SPENDING BILL Press Release May 1 2017

 

International Refugee Assistance Project at the Urban Justice Center

www.refugeerights.org

www.twitter.com/RefugeeAssist

www.facebook.com/RefugeeAssist/

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Related Posts

  • Press Release: Following Court Victory for Iraqi and Afghan U.S. Allies, Government Submits Plan to Process Thousands of Delayed SIV ApplicantsMay 22, 2020
  • Press Release: IRAP Statement on the Peace Agreement Between the United States and the TalibanFebruary 29, 2020
  • Press Release: IRAP Welcomes Protections for U.S. Allies in Afghanistan in Defense and Spending BillsDecember 21, 2019
  • Press Release: IRAP Statement on the Lack of Visas Allocated to Afghan Allies in the National Defense Authorization ActJune 19, 2018

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