KABUL: The Afghan Evac organization has welcomed the reintroduction of the “Status for Afghans” law in the U.S. Congress and is calling for its immediate passage. This law would provide a pathway to permanent residency for thousands of Afghan allies of U.S. forces. The organization on Tuesday warned that delays in passing the law put the lives of thousands of Afghans both inside and outside the U.S. at risk. Shawn Vandiver, the president of Afghan Evac, stated, “Lives are at stake, and we cannot wait for Washington’s timeline.” The proposed legislation has been introduced in Congress by bipartisan representatives Jason Crow and Mariannette Miller-Meeks. The bill allows Afghans with humanitarian visas to apply for permanent residency after a security review. According to the bill, an interagency task force led by the State Department will manage the process of relocating and resettling Afghans, and the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program will be extended until the end of 2029. Afghan Evac emphasized that Congress’s delay represents an ethical and strategic failure for the U.S. and that it must fulfill its promises to its wartime allies.
