August has been a busy month. I must first address what we have witnessed over the last few weeks in Afghanistan.
My thoughts have continued toturn to the families I met with who have lost loved ones due to the Afghan conflict. To the service members who fearlessly and honorably served our country in Afghanistan, your efforts were not in vain. You protected our country and for that we are forever grateful. If you or a loved one is a veteran struggling with everything that has transpired over the last month please reach out to the Veterans Crisis Line:1-800-273-8255.
What America and the world have witnessed over the last few weeks raises the question of whether this Administration had even considered contingencies for their plan to withdraw from Afghanistan. It still appears President Biden is more concerned about taking the political win than ensuring the number one mission of getting every American and our allies out safely. I pushed this Administration to abandon its August 31, 2021, withdrawal deadline. This deadline declared by the Biden Administration led to an ultimatum from the Taliban – not even a real government – that all American forces must evacuate by this date. The America does not answer to foreign governments, let alone foreign terrorist organizations.
America deserves a full accounting from President Biden and his senior advisors on why they chose to withdraw from Afghanistan in this manner and to explain how the situation became fatal.
I know and respect many who are calling on President Biden to resign or to be impeached are serious. I certainly understand the anxiety and gravity of the situation as it presents itself; however, the lines of Constitutional succession do not provide an actual remedy at this time.
My office will continue to do all that it can to assist those seeking to evacuate Afghanistan. Here are a few helpful things to note:
If you are a US Citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident requesting assistance in departing Afghanistan you must complete the Repatriation Form located at Repatriation Assistance Request. State officials will reach out directly to you. Please do not show up at the airport without instructions from the flight organizer.
State Department officials continue to expedite the processing of all Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) and are working with applicants and their immediate family. Officials have stated “it will continue every day past August 31st”. If applicants have questions regarding their pending applications they can email NVCSIV@state.gov.
Applicants who have received word that their SIV have been issued will either have been issued a visa foil in their passport or will have a foil-free visa. They should follow the instructions sent to them by the Department of State. We continue to pursue all options to relocate interested and qualified Afghan SIVs and their immediate families.
Applicants with KBL case numbers have received Chief of Mission Approval and an approved I-360 petition. Their visa application is in processing. They will be contacted by email when they are eligible for a relocation flight.
Applicants with NVC case numbers may not yet have Chief of Mission Approval. If they have received a Chief of Mission Letter but do not yet have a KBL number, the applicant’s next step is getting an approved form I-360 from USCIS. They should continue to submit their complete case to the National Visa Center if they have not already done so. It is unlikely we will be able to assist applicants with NVC case numbers in the next few days, but we are committed to continuing to move SIV cases as quickly as possible.
Individuals who do not qualify for an Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) may qualify for the Priority 1 and/or Priority 2 (P1/P2) Program administered by the U.S. Refugee Admission Program (USRAP). The USRAP administers the P1/P2 program for Afghans at risk of persecution due to their affiliation with the U.S. but who are not eligible for an SIV.U.S. government official looking to refer an Afghan national for a P-1 or P-2 can find more information here, and questions about these programs can be emailed to here.
