In July 2021, President Joe Biden confidently stated that there would be no situation where people would need to be rescued from the roof of the U.S. embassy in Afghanistan. He believed it was unlikely that the Taliban would take over the country.
However, just a month later in August, the Taliban did indeed seize control of Afghanistan, overpowering the Afghan forces. Kabul was thrown into chaos as people desperately tried to escape the Taliban regime, with some clinging to a U.S. military plane and tragic deaths resulting from a suicide bombing at the airport.
One Afghan man, known as Baryalai, who had worked closely with the U.S. military, found himself in a nightmare scenario in Kabul. He had to flee the country to avoid Taliban retaliation, despite being eligible for a Special Immigrant Visa due to his service to the U.S. government.
Thousands of Afghan allies like Baryalai have been left to navigate their own paths to safety, with civil society organizations stepping in to help where the government failed. Despite the challenges they face, these allies continue to rely on support from these groups to make progress.
‘Faithful and Valuable Service’
Afghanistan’s history as the “graveyard of empires” highlights the challenges faced by the U.S. in controlling the country. Local Afghan helpers, including interpreters, played a crucial role in supporting American forces during the two-decade war.
The risks faced by Afghan allies, such as threats from the Taliban, led Congress to establish the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. This program provides a pathway to immigration for Afghans who assisted the U.S. military, recognizing their “faithful and valuable service” and the dangers they faced.
Despite the promises made to these allies, bureaucratic delays and backlogs have left many stranded, relying on civil society organizations to help them navigate the challenges of escaping Taliban rule and starting new lives.
Unfortunately, she notes that the SIV program and other available pathways for Afghans are often slow, bureaucratic, and require advocacy from external parties, making them difficult to navigate for applicants representing themselves.
The 14-step application process for Afghans seeking SIVs involves detailing their service to the U.S., obtaining a recommendation from an American supervisor, and describing threats received due to their employment. This process includes an in-person interview at an embassy, which, due to the lack of U.S. consular services in Afghanistan, requires traveling to Pakistan or another country. The logistical and financial risks involved in fulfilling these requirements, such as traveling through hostile territory and attracting Taliban attention, are significant.
The complex application process leaves room for errors and delays. For example, one interpreter had to redo medical examinations due to pandemic lockdowns, costing thousands of dollars and delaying their departure until 2021. Another interpreter faced repeated denials based on a derogatory file, despite having numerous commendations from high-ranking officials. It took multiple applications and years of effort to resolve the issues and move the application forward.
Despite Congress mandating that SIV applications be adjudicated within nine months, processing times have consistently exceeded this timeframe. As of 2021, the application process for an SIV could take three to six years, leading to a significant backlog of over 18,000 pending applications, not including family members.
Efforts to evacuate Afghan allies and their families were hampered by delays and bureaucratic challenges, leading to many being left behind during the August 2021 airlift. The chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan prompted a surge in nongovernmental efforts to assist Afghan allies, providing support in various forms, from educational advice to relocation assistance.
While Congress had the opportunity to reform the dysfunctional SIV program over the years, advocates have had to keep the issue in the spotlight to ensure action. Non-governmental organizations have been able to work quickly and efficiently, unencumbered by bureaucracy, to provide crucial support to Afghan allies in need. VanDiver explains that they provide unfiltered ground truth from Kabul and various processing sites directly to government decision makers. This direct access has allowed advocates to propose effective policy changes, such as reducing timelines for Afghan refugee processing and establishing a family reunification mechanism. Collaborations with organizations and government agencies have helped relocate thousands of Afghan helpers to safety, with a goal of 7,000 for this year.
However, challenges remain within the system, such as a shortage of Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan refugees. Congress and the White House have taken steps to address this issue, but advocates argue that artificial caps on visas should be reconsidered. Proposed legislation, such as the Afghan Allies Protection Act and Afghan Adjustment Act, aim to provide more relief for Afghan helpers both overseas and in the United States.
Despite bipartisan support for these bills, they have faced obstacles in Congress. Advocates stress the importance of recognizing the contributions of Afghan helpers and making it easier for them to obtain legal status in the U.S. Through civic engagement and government cooperation, progress has been made, but more needs to be done to support those who risked their lives to assist American missions in Afghanistan. The Biden administration has made significant efforts to improve the process for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants, despite the challenges faced during the August 2021 withdrawal. The re-parole process introduced in mid-2023 has been successful in facilitating approvals for asylum applications. However, these policies implemented through executive discretion are at risk of being reversed by future administrations, as seen with the dismantling of immigration infrastructure by the Trump administration.
The civil society effort, led by organizations like NOLB, has played a crucial role in evacuating and resettling Afghan allies. While the U.S. government has authorized additional visas, there are still thousands of Afghans waiting for relocation. Public attention has shifted to other global conflicts and domestic issues, making it challenging to prioritize Afghan allies.
Despite the government’s failures to act urgently, advocates continue to push for the fulfillment of promises made to Afghan allies. The collective efforts of organizations and individuals have been instrumental in holding the government accountable and ensuring the safety of those at risk. Moving forward, it is essential to remember the sacrifices made by Afghan allies and work towards honoring the commitments made to them. Please rewrite this sentence.
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