Pass Afghan Adjustment Act, Congress urged

KABUL (Pajhwok): Leading international humanitarian organisations have welcomed the reintroduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act in Congress.

If passed, this bipartisan legislation will give Afghans paroled into the US after America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan the ability to apply for permanent legal residency.

In a statement, the US-based Refugees International director applauded the legislative measure, providing a faster and more secure way to give Afghans certainty about their future.

“Congress, as it has in the past, must support those who aided the US mission abroad — and who are now contributing to communities here in the United States– by passing this legislation. There is no substitute.”

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) also hailed the move, calling for members of the Congress to support the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International noted it was morally irresponsible to bring tens of thousands of at-risk Afghans to the US and then simply abandon them to a broken immigration system.

“The Afghan Adjustment Act is the right way to see the Operation Allies Welcome mission through. Rather than punishing Afghan arrivals for being evacuated, Congress has an urgent obligation to ensure they have a chance to become lawful permanent residents so they can start putting down roots in their new community and regain a sense of home.”

PAN Monitor/mud