Afghanistan: One Year Later

For Immediate Release: Aug 15, 2022

WASHINGTON –  One year ago, countless Afghan lives began being uprooted and changed, as the U.S. military departed Afghanistan and began the evacuation of thousands of Afghan people  from the dangers of Afghanistan to the safety of the U.S. Not long after the evacuations began, a deadly terrorist attack on the Kabul airport killed U.S. military members and Afghan people. Refugee Congress remembers these times of life-altering devastation for thousands of Afghan people - many who are now our neighbors, and we continue to advocate for their immigration justice in the United States. However, we must also remember the thousands of Afghans who were left at risk and continue to speak out for their access to safety. 

Afghans who were evacuated to the United States after the U.S. military’s departure from Afghanistan, entered the United States under humanitarian parole. After their set parole length expires, Afghans may not be able to continue their new lives in America, without the passage of rectifying legislation.

Refugee Congress is grateful to Congress for introducing such necessary rectifying legislation, known as the Afghan Adjustment Act. The Afghan Adjustment Act is a bipartisan bill that acts as a bridge between Afghans’ current immigration status under humanitarian parole and the status necessary to be considered for residency in the U.S. 

As an organization built and led by former refugees, asylees and other vulnerable migrants, with lived experience in similar life-altering situations as our Afghan neighbors, Refugee Congress now calls upon Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, so that our Afghan neighbors can fully embrace their new lives in America.

“As we mark the one year anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan, we are reminded of the kindness, welcome and compassion that our communities showed to our new Afghan neighbors, and strongly encourage Congress to pass the newly introduced Afghan Adjustment Act that will provide our Afghan neighbors with a permanent status. But we must also remember the critical need that remains - to advocate for all the family and friends that were left at risk,” said Nili Sarit Yossinger, Executive Director.

"It is our responsibility to stand with the people who supported the US mission in Afghanistan, and stand with those who may be subject to persecution because they advocated for decent lives for Afghan women and children," said Ali Aljundi, Membership Engagement and Leadership Development Manager.

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.

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