The bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) (S.2327/H.R.4627) would allow certain Afghan evacuees to apply for permanent status (asylum or SIV) after one year of being in the U.S. The AAA also prevents them from losing their jobs or being deported while their applications for permanent status are pending. Congress has passed similar legislation after several past U.S.-involved conflicts and humanitarian crises, such as following Fidel Castro’s rise to power in Cuba, the United States’ withdrawal from Vietnam, and U.S. military actions in Iraq.
Urge Congress to Support Afghan Refugees and Pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.
Background:
In August 2021, the U.S. withdrew military forces from Afghanistan after a 20-year war fought there. Following the withdrawal and Taliban take over, tens of thousands of Afghans fled their homes and sought refuge in other countries. So far, 75,000 Afghans have been evacuated to the U.S., tens of thousands of them through a process called humanitarian parole, which allows certain individuals to enter and stay in the U.S. without a visa. Processing for humanitarian parole can take days or mere hours, compared to the months or years it can take for visas to be processed. These individuals must now pursue a permanent status through either asylum or Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), both of which are currently severely backlogged, leaving parolees indefinitely uncertain of their status in the U.S.
The bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) (S.2327/H.R.4627) would allow certain Afghan evacuees to apply for permanent status after one year of being paroled in the U.S. Paroled Afghans will have the opportunity to apply for asylum or SIV status, the same status they would have received if they had time to apply for entry to the U.S. as refugees. The AAA also prevents evacuees from losing their jobs or being deported while their applications for permanent status are pending. Congress has passed similar legislation after several past U.S.-involved conflicts and humanitarian crises, such as following Fidel Castro’s rise to power in Cuba, the United States’ withdrawal from Vietnam, and U.S. military actions in Iraq.
Jewish Values:
The Torah has many stories and laws that inspire us to welcome refugees: Abraham and Sarah famously welcomed three mysterious guests into their tent. We read in Genesis that not only did Abraham allow the guests to enter, he also ran towards them, modeling the enthusiasm with which we should embrace those seeking refuge. At Passover, we read about the importance of internalizing the lessons of the Exodus and reflecting this awareness in our actions. Deuteronomy teaches the importance of protecting those fleeing dangerous conditions, telling of the imperative to protect the escaped slave—an archetype of someone in physical danger (23:16). We draw inspiration from these sources and others as we call on our elected officials to welcome refugees.
Tell your Members of Congress to cosponsor the Afghan Adjustment Act today.
For more information on this issue, visit the RAC’s Immigration and International Issues pages on our website or contact Eisendrath Legislative Assistant Ellen Garfinkle at (202) 387-2800 or egarfinkle@rac.org for more information.
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