Senators from the United States, both major parties, are calling on congressional leaders to increase the availability of visas for Afghans who worked alongside US troops in America’s longest war.
A letter obtained by The Associated Press reveals that more than a dozen both Republican and Democratic senators are calling on Congress to increase the limit on special immigrant visas for Afghans, VisaGuide.World reports.
According to them, an additional 20,000 visas are needed before the end of the fiscal year in September.
This critical program has already saved the lives of thousands of Afghans who served with bravery and honour alongside United States troops and diplomats in support of the mission in Afghanistan.
The lawmakers, led by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a New Hampshire Democrat, addressed a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
We must now uphold our commitment to these individuals and ensure that those qualified applicants are able to find safety in the United States.
The administration of Biden has also urged the Congress to act swiftly. In addition, National Security Council spokesman John Kirbey told reporters that “even though our war in Afghanistan ended, our commitment to Afghans and our commitment to those who helped us in that war has not ended.”
US Special Immigrant Visas (SVI)
Launched in 2009, the Special Immigrant Visa program is available to persons who worked with the US Armed Forces or under the Chief of Mission authority as an interpreter or translator in Iraq or Afghanistan. The program offers visas to up to fifty persons a year.
Among the requirements is being a national of Iraq or Afghanistan and having worked directly with the US Armed Forces or under COM authority as a translator or interpreter for at least 12 months.
According to a report from AP, since the inception of the program, tens of thousands of visas have been issued to eligible Afghans. At the same time, more than 30 per cent of the total applications have been processed just since the withdrawal.
The director of advocacy for No One Left Behind, Andrew Sullivan, who advocates for SIV applicants, said they have around 7,000 visas left, and if the State Department continues approving visas at the current rate, they could run out of visas by the end of summer.