Take Action- Voice Your Support for the Afghan Adjustment Act
Afghan evacuees deserve a pathway to a permanent legal status in the U.S.
ACC has resettled 344 Afghan evacuees from October 1st, 2021 up until today’s date of February 2nd. The support of our surrounding community has been invaluable as we have worked to help these families find housing, jobs, enroll in schools, and begin adjusting to their new lives in Colorado. Our volunteers and donors have enabled us to resettle more families in the past few months than we had during the previous two years, and we will continue to see high numbers of arrivals for the next couple of weeks. As the safe-haven military bases continue to release Afghan evacuees into communities across the U.S., we must now turn our attention to the long-term success and integration of Afghan families here in Denver. One major factor that influences the lives of these Afghan evacuees is their immigration status. The proposed Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) that is currently being considered by Congress would support Afghan evacuees by providing them with a more direct path to gaining a permanent legal status.
This would not be the first time that Congress had passed an Adjustment Act; they have previously been implemented for those fleeing Vietnam, Iraq, and Cuba during conflicts or changes of power related to the U.S.. Not only did it allow those fleeing violence and persecution to temporarily reside in the U.S,, but it gave them an alternative path to permanent residence. For Afghans today, this would mean that they would be able to avoid applying to the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) or asylum programs, which are already overwhelmed. According to a report from USCIS released during the 2021 fiscal year, there is currently a backlog of 412,000 applications in the U.S. asylum program.
According to the Department of Security’s fiscal year 2022 report to Congress, an estimated 40% of the Afghans evacuated to the U.S. currently hold a “humanitarian parolee” immigration status, which is a temporary status with a two-year visa. This 40% represents roughly 36,433 Afghans. The approval of the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) would allow evacuees to apply for permanent residency without having to first wait to be accepted to one of the aforementioned programs, and therefore avoid potential deportation. Not only does this provide an easier path, it also gives families more stability; they can focus on integrating rather than on their legal status and long-term residency.
Another issue with the SIV and asylum programs are that they are incredibly restrictive; only individuals who have held specific positions, or who can provide enough proof of persecution are eligible. SIV status is reserved for those who have held specific positions contracting with the US government (like interpreters), while asylum seekers have to prove that they were being oppressed based on membership in a particular social group, for their political opinion, race, religion, or nationality. Families may struggle to provide enough proof to justify their application, having had to leave last-minute and without the option of gathering important belongings or documents. In addition, they would have to apply to these programs (necessitating affordable or pro bono legal assistance) and be approved within the two year timeline.
Versions of the AAA also include a waiver that increases the number of those eligible for resettlement. Right now, anyone who works for the Taliban-led government in any capacity is automatically denied entry to the United States. This disqualifies many who may have been forced to work for the Taliban, and who are still at high risk of persecution.
While the fate of the AAA remains uncertain, local efforts have succeeded in increasing the number of resources available to newly arrived Afghans. Congressman Jason Crow introduced legislation back in June which, among other things, increased the limits on SIV applicants, provided more protections for family members of SIV applicants, and expanded the qualifications for SIV status. This allowed more at-risk individuals to apply for resettlement, along with their families. As well as advocating for the passage of the AAA, he also continues to push for U.S. aid to be given directly to those still in Afghanistan.
It’s time to loudly voice our support for the AAA by contacting our senators and representatives. Passing the Afghan Adjustment Act means that those who have supported our troops overseas will be protected and supported as they adjust to a new country and leave their families and country behind. We must remember that while the evacuation was a historic event, humanitarian parole is a temporary status. These families deserve a more permanent legal status that would afford them the chance to look forward and plan for their futures without fear of displacement. Will you join us?
Email Colorado Senator Michael Bennet or call 202-224-5852 (DC)
Email Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper or call 202-224-5941 (DC)
Go to https://www.house.gov/ to look up your Colorado Representative by zip code.
Congresswoman Diana DeGette (Congressional District 1)
Email or call 202-225-4431 (DC)
Congressman Joe Neguse (Congressional District 2)
Email or call 202-225-2161 (DC)
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (Congressional District 3)
Email or call 202-225-4761 (DC)
Congressman Ken Buck (Congressional District 4)
Email or call 202-225-4676 (DC)
Congressman Doug Lamborn (Congressional District 5)
Email or call 202-225-4422 (DC)
Congressman Jason Crow (Congressional District 6)
Email or call 202-225-7882 (DC)
Congressman Ed Perlmutter (Congressional District 7)
Email or call 202-225-2645 (DC)
Sources:
https://www.hias.org/sites/default/files/factsheet_afghan_adjustment_act_november_2021.pdf
https://hiaspa.org/uscis-must-waive-fees-for-afghan-refugees/
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/data/Quarterly_All_Forms_FY2021Q4.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_WZNPMln7QLxIXj1y-MzDsR_nsE4ape5/view
https://prismreports.org/2021/12/01/afghan-refugees-call-for-a-clearer-path-to-citizenship/
https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/research/asylum-united-states
https://prismreports.org/2021/12/01/afghan-refugees-call-for-a-clearer-path-to-citizenship/
https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-votes-pass-crow-legislation-increase-visa-cap-afghan-interpreters-other
https://crow.house.gov/media/press-releases/crow-malinowski-meijer-make-bipartisan-push-humanitarian-aid-afghanistan-0