Stand with refugees

URGENT: The government has halted all funding for recently arrived refugee families. Your support is needed now!

The browser you are using is not supported. Please consider using a modern browser.

Skip Navigation
Act Now Donate
Start of main content.

Press Release // Immigration and Asylum

Global Refuge Calls for Emergency Evacuation of Afghan Allies ahead of U.S. Withdrawal

Global Refuge logo

Global Refuge Staff

May 13, 2021

Contact: Timothy Young | timothy.young@globalrefuge.org | 443-257-6310

Washington D.C. – Global Refuge, a leading U.S. refugee resettlement organization, joined growing calls on the Biden administration to swiftly and securely evacuate over 17,000 Afghans in the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program along with their estimated 53,000 family members ahead of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan slated for September 2021.

Having resettled and supported more than 11,000 SIV holders from Afghanistan and Iraq since Congress enacted the program in 2009, Global Refuge advocated in a letter to the White House that evacuation be implemented well before the withdraw date, given Taliban territorial gains and the precipitous targeting of American-affiliated Afghans, and that a Special Envoy be appointed to spearhead the effort.

The following is a statement by Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, President and CEO of Global Refuge:

“The window is quickly closing to protect Afghan allies who have risked everything on behalf of America’s mission, including the safety of their own families. To truly honor those who have undoubtedly saved American lives, we must keep our word by saving theirs. Bold leadership is required to meet this moment, and that must include careful consideration of emergency evacuation options.

The risk to our allies’ safety is imminent and growing. Taliban gains in the country underscore the extent to which U.S.-affiliated interpreters, drivers, advisors, support staff, and their families are increasingly in danger of targeted attacks. The simple and urgent truth is that, in the face of an emboldened enemy, emergency evacuation measures cannot wait until full U.S. military withdrawal in September.

Such an evacuation is well within historical precedent. In 1975, the Ford administration evacuated approximately 130,000 Vietnamese refugees to the U.S. via Guam for initial screening before departure to reception centers in the U.S. In 1996, Operation Pacific Haven similarly airlifted 6,600 Iraqi Kurds to the U.S. island territory. Finally, in 1999, the U.S. evacuated 20,000 Kosovar Albanians to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where their eligibility for refugee status was determined.

Welcoming them to America is the right and moral course of action, but the benefits of doing so extend well beyond humanitarian leadership. These courageous and resilient individuals, like so many before them, will also go on to become essential workers, business owners, community leaders, and cherished neighbors. As a refugee resettlement organization, we stand ready to extend a warm welcome fitting of the tremendous sacrifices our allies have made.”

Read the full letter to the Biden administration

The Latest

  • News

    March 7, 2025

    Global Refuge Joins Interfaith Solidarity Statement on Refugees and Other Immigrants

    On March 7, Global Refuge President and CEO Krish O'Mara Vignarajah  joined the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and other faith leaders in affirming our solidarity with and support of refugee and other immigrant communities. 

    Read More
  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    February 27, 2025

    Global Refuge Responds to Sudden Termination of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program Grants

    Global Refuge today expressed deep concern over the U.S. Department of State’s sudden decision to terminate its grant agreements for the reception and placement of legally admitted refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

    Read More
  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    February 2, 2025

    Global Refuge Statement on Misinformation around our Humanitarian Work

    Global Refuge condemns in the strongest possible terms the false accusations lodged against our humanitarian work. As a faith-based nonprofit, we have faithfully walked alongside legally admitted refugees & immigrants for 85 years.

    Read More
  • Press Release · Refugee Resettlement

    January 27, 2025

    Global Refuge Condemns Federal Stop Work Order Halting Refugee Resettlement Assistance

    Global Refuge expresses deep concern and dismay over an unprecedented stop work order issued by the State Department, which halts all refugee reception and placement services under the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.

    Read More
  • News · Community Engagement

    January 25, 2025

    5 Ways to Help Refugees & Immigrants in 2025

    Discover 5 ways to help refugees and immigrants in 2025. From volunteering to advocacy, learn how you can make a difference through Global Refuge, the nation’s largest faith-based nonprofit dedicated exclusively to serving children, refugees, and immigrants.

    Read More

Share