Washington, DC – Late Friday, 59 religious organizations and 111 faith leaders delivered a letter to Congress urging them to support and pass the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) as part of the FY2023 Continuing Resolution. Just one month after the bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the AAA, the faith groups and leaders reminded members of Congress—engaged in negotiations on the spending bill—of their own expressed commitment to support and protect evacuated and displaced Afghans.
The signatories wrote:
“More than 75,000 at-risk Afghans were welcomed into the United States via “humanitarian parole,” a temporary immigration status typically only granted for 1 or 2 years to provide safety for people under threat. Given the temporary nature of parole, tens of thousands of the relocated Afghan men, women, and children resettled in the U.S. have been navigating complex legal issues to find lasting protections in the U.S. Without the Afghan Adjustment Act, Afghans that the U.S. government relocated face uncertainty and insecurity, including the threat of family separation. As evidenced by the broad support for this bipartisan, bicameral legislation, it is clear Congress agrees that every Afghan family deserves a peaceful and dignified immigration process and a pathway to permanent protection.
The faith community has repeatedly urged Congress to provide lasting protection for our new Afghan neighbors. The only viable solution is through the passage of an Afghan Adjustment Act, as the U.S. has done for other vulnerable people such as Cubans following the rise of Fidel Castro, Southeast Asians following the fall of Saigon, and Iraqis following multiple U.S. military engagements, while we continue to hold the administration accountable for ongoing relocations and processing of vulnerable Afghans to the United States. As faith leaders, we join security experts, refugee resettlement agencies, Afghan Americans, women’s rights leaders, veterans groups, and legal experts in seeking passage of this legislation.
We believe Congress has a moral responsibility to act swiftly. We eagerly look forward to working with you to ensure your support for the Afghan Adjustment Act as part of the upcoming FY23 Continuing Resolution.”
Read the full letter and list of signatories here.
The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is made up of over 55 national, faith-based organizations brought together across many theological traditions with a common call to seek just policies that lift up the God-given dignity of every individual. In partnership, we work to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of all refugees and migrants. Follow us on Twitter @interfaithimm
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