National Security Leaders Thank Co-sponsors of Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Roberto Estrada 
restrada@monumentadvocacy.com

Washington — Today the Council on National Security and Immigration (CNSI) sent a letter to the Senate co-sponsors of the Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act, thanking them for their commitment and emphasizing the need to find a solution for our Afghan allies.

The Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act was introduced as an amendment in recent negotiations over supplemental national security spending but did not advance. The Department of Homeland Security funding bill that passed last month includes 12,000 additional special immigrant visas for Afghans — but no permanence for resettled Afghan allies.

“With the Department of Homeland Security now funded, we encourage the co-sponsors of the Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act to re-unite and work to advance this critical effort,” said Rick “Ozzie” Nelson. “Every day we neglect the long-term status of our resettled Afghans we undermine faith in America’s commitment to its allies worldwide.”

Excerpts from the letter follow:

“CNSI leaders believe that a permanent solution for evacuated Afghans is imperative to maintain the United States’ global leadership in the 21st century. This proposal, like the related Afghan Adjustment Act, honors our nation’s commitment to its wartime allies by providing a path to permanent status for Afghan allies and other evacuees. Congress has yet to create a permanent solution for this group, leaving tens of thousands of evacuees in legal limbo. Inaction in this area is not an option.”

“The Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act represents a much-needed solution. First, it follows through on our nation’s commitment to its wartime allies by providing at-risk Afghans and their families — including many who supported the U.S. military and America’s diplomatic efforts for the past twenty years — a path to permanent status in the United States. Second, it sends a clear message to current and future allies — those who are necessary for U.S. servicemembers and diplomats to perform their missions in pursuit of national security — that the United States is a reliable and trusted partner that stands by the democratic ideals it professes.”

Click here for the full letter.

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