Our Advocacy for Afghans

The 2021 evacuation was just the beginning. We continue to advocate for our Afghan neighbors in the U.S. and abroad.

For 20 years, the U.S. government and military worked with hundreds of thousands of Afghan allies who served as interpreters, translators, cultural advisors, drivers, and NGO employees. Because of their service to the U.S. mission and NATO coalition, our allies and their families have become the targets of anti-American violence.

In early 2021, Global Refuge began pressing the Biden administration to protect and evacuate our Afghan allies. We joined veterans’ groups and resettlement agencies to form the Evacuate Our Allies coalition, and we advocated for the continued evacuation of at-risk Afghans and the integration of Afghans already in the United States.

In the summer of 2021, more than 70,000 at-risk Afghans were evacuated and granted “humanitarian parole ”, allowing them to temporarily stay and lawfully work in the U.S. for up to two years. Unfortunately, there is currently no direct pathway for lawful permanent residency for most evacuated Afghans; instead, they need to apply for asylum or a green card based on Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) status. Permanent status through these pathways have been challenging and time-consuming for this population given the loss of critical documentation during the hurried evacuation and the impact of trauma.

Global Refuge is working to support and integrate recently arrived Afghans in the United States and continues advocating for those left behind. We’ve championed additional visas for the Afghan SIV program and supported bipartisan efforts to support continued relocation of at-risk Afghans. We remain committed to ensuring successful integration and passage of adjustment-of-status legislation like the Afghan Adjustment Act to help provide a permanent status to Afghans brought to the U.S. through the August 2021 evacuation.

View our Advocacy Timeline

How You Can Help

Advocate
Sign our action alerts on behalf of protections and pathways for Afghans! Let your elected officials know you support policies that welcome and integrate displaced and at-risk Afghans.
Learn More and Share with Your Community
Explore Global Refuge’s Gather: Afghanistan community engagement resources, which will help you to learn about the history of conflict in Afghanistan, explore the culture through worship, food, and music, and learn more about Global Refuge’s work through the story of the Abdullah family.
Join our Ambassador Program
Ambassadors are a national community of passionate advocates, volunteers, and leaders. With active support and training from Global Refuge staff, Ambassadors act in their communities, from organizing awareness campaigns and advocacy actions to hosting prayer vigils or gathering supplies to aid local crisis responses.
Pray
The power of prayer, whether individually or with others, including community members, elected officials and impacted people, is undeniable in bridging divides and reminding us of our common humanity. Take a look at these prayer resources and contemplate using them and sharing with others.