FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 9, 2022

PRESS CONTACT

Joseph Azam | joseph@afghanamericans.org

AAF Welcomes the Introduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act 

(Washington, DC) – Nearly one year after the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, the situation for at-risk Afghans remains dire, and the Afghans fortunate enough to have been evacuated by the Biden Administration to the United States face an uncertain future. Of the many challenges facing Afghans paroled into the United States, the one that weighs most heavily on their minds is the uncertainty  surrounding the temporary nature of their legal status in this country.

For nearly a year, we have joined our partners in the Evacuate Our Allies Coalition to advocate with members of Congress and their staffs for an Afghan Adjustment Act. Our position on this prospective legislation has been public, clear and consistent:

It’s the right thing to do, there are clear precedents for this type of legislation, and it’s something that Americans from all walks of life and from nearly every point on our political spectrum can and have rallied around.

Soon there will be nearly 100,000 Afghans in the United States that have been evacuated here since the fall of Kabul in August, 2021. Together they will constitute one of the most closely vetted refugee groups to ever come to the United States. President Biden promised a whole-of-government approach to help these friends and allies of the United States. Now, it is Congress’s turn to do its part to ensure that we follow through on our promise of permanent safety for these Afghans, many  of whom have begun attending school, secured  jobs, developed  friendships, started families, and embarked on their journey in communities across America.

Afghans who have been resettled in the U.S. risked their lives to get here. They should not have to worry about losing what they’ve worked so hard and risked so much to achieve for themselves and their families.

“The legislation introduced today is a great starting point and it gives Congress a very clear roadmap. We commend the bill’s bi-partisan sponsors in the Senate and the House for recognizing this historic opportunity and the solemn obligation to act. The rest of Congress must now move with urgency and clarity of purpose to follow their lead. Lives are on the line,” said Joseph Azam, Board Chair of the Afghan-American Foundation.

It’s time for us to come together as a nation and let these new Afghan-Americans know: this is home.

The Afghan-American Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization representing and advancing the interests of Afghans and Afghan-Americans through advocacy, research, education and engagement.

www.afghanamericans.org

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