Washington, DC – RCUSA welcomes news of the bipartisan reintroduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA). The majority of Afghans who were welcomed to the US following the military withdrawal and subsequent fall of Kabul, arrived with humanitarian parole status – meaning their ability to stay and rebuild their lives could be limited to one or two years. Many of those forced to flee were those who had assisted the US mission, human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, academics, persecuted minorities, and LGBTQIA+ people.
In June, the Department of Homeland Security announced a re-parole program that would provide additional temporary reprieve. However, there is no foreseeable future where it will be safe enough for these evacuees to return, and they deserve the opportunity to have a clear path to permanent protection.
“We are thrilled to hear that the Afghan Adjustment Act has been reintroduced,” shared RCUSA Executive Director John Slocum. “It has been nearly two years since the US withdrew from Afghanistan, a transition which has had deadly consequences for too many. For those who were fortunate enough to arrive in the US through Operation Allies Welcome – while safe from immediate danger – their future protection has remained unclear. The AAA follows in the proud tradition of other adjustment programs, affording essential stability and security as families continue to rebuild their lives and deepen community. We urge all Members of Congress to swiftly pass this life-affirming legislation.”
Media contact: Sarah Seniuk, sseniuk@rcusa.org
RCUSA is a diverse coalition advocating for just and humane laws and policies, and the promotion of dialogue and communication among government, civil society, and those who need protection and welcome. Individual RCUSA members do not all address all refugee-related issues, nor do all individual members approach common refugee-related issues identically.
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