On July 13, the Afghan Adjustment Act (S. 2327 and H.R. 4627) was reintroduced with bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate. If passed, the bill would establish a clear and streamlined path for displaced Afghans to apply for permanent status in the U.S. and expand pathways to protection for Afghans who remain left behind and at risk.
Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, millions of Afghans have been displaced from their homes, including many who risked their lives in support of the U.S. mission. During the evacuation, the U.S. welcomed more than 76,000 Afghans via humanitarian parole, which provides only temporary protection and no clear path to permanent status.
Even though the vast majority of Afghan parolees are eligible for asylum or Special Immigrant Visas, fewer than 10% have secured permanent protections due to long backlogs and processing delays. The recent announcement of a re-parole process for those facing the imminent expiration of protections only highlights how many Afghans are stuck in limbo on temporary status almost two years after the evacuation. Many more are still at risk in Afghanistan or nearby countries where the threat of violence remains.
The 2023 Afghan Adjustment Act is led by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) in the Senate, and Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) in the House of Representatives.
Separately, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) has introduced a partisan bill called the Ensuring American Security and Protecting Afghan Allies Act (S. 2324) which includes some similar provisions as well as a number of poison pills. It appears to be designed to undermine support for the Afghan Adjustment Act.
Join us in urging Congress to uphold our nation’s promises to Afghans at risk by passing the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act!
CONTACT YOUR TWO SENATORS AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE TODAY!
On the right-hand side, you can send an email or make a phone call that connects you to your Members of Congress.
“As your constituent from [City/Town], and a [person of faith/refugee/member of my community] I urge you to stand up for displaced Afghans in our community by supporting the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act. Specifically, I urge you to:
- Join the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act of 2023 (S. 2327 and H.R. 4627) as a cosponsor. The bill, which was introduced on July 13, would establish a path for displaced Afghans to apply for lawful permanent status in the U.S. and expand pathways to protection for Afghans who remain left behind and at risk.
- Support the inclusion of the bill in the National Defense Authorization Act or in other must-pass legislation. Thousands of Afghans remain in legal limbo as their initial period of protection expires this fall. The time to act is now.
- Reject attempts to undermine this vital legislation with partisan messaging bills like S. 2324. As the Afghan Adjustment Act was introduced, Senator Cotton promoted legislation with some similar provisions but several poison pills – a bill that was not the result of bipartisan compromise and stands no chance at passing into law or actually providing relief or support to those in need.
We must uphold our nation’s promises by ensuring that Afghans at risk – including many who risked their lives to support the U.S. mission – have a path to permanent protection and the opportunity to regain stability and rebuild their lives.
My community welcomes Afghans, and I hope you will do the same. Thank you.”
Amplify on Social Media:
Share this message with national leaders on social media! See below for sample social media posts and click here for sample graphics.
- Our nation has a moral responsibility to protect and support at-risk Afghans. It’s long past time for Congress to pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct. #PasstheAAA
- Our Afghan allies have been waiting for far too long for the permanence and stability that they deserve. Congress must pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct NOW. #PasstheAAA
- Of the 76,000 Afghan evacuees that the United States welcomed following the fall of Kabul, fewer than 10% have secured permanent protections. Congress, we MUST pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct. #PasstheAAA
- We must not turn our backs on our Afghan neighbors. Congress reintroduced the #AfghanAdjustmentAct, and now they must pass it. #PasstheAAA
Additional Resources:
- Afghan Adjustment Act House bill & cosponsors
- Afghan Adjustment Act Senate bill & cosponsors
- Church World Service Press Release on Reintroduction of Afghan Adjustment Act
- Afghan Adjustment Act Reintroduction Senate Press Release
- Afghan Adjustment Act 2022 section by section
- Evacuate Our Allies (EOA): Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA)
- Evacuate Our Allies (EOA): Afghan Adjustment Act Factsheet
- Evacuate Our Allies (EOA): Legislative Asks
- National Immigration Forum – Bill Summary: The Afghan Adjustment Act
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): Bill Explainer: Afghan Adjustment Act – 2022
- Veterans for American Ideals (VFAI) Afghan Adjustment Act Factsheet (August 2022)
- Afghan Adjustment Act Explainer
- Afghan Adjustment Act Day of Action Social Toolkit
- Evacuate Our Allies Weeks of Action: Social Media Toolkit
- Afghan Adjustment Act Impact on Afghan SIV Applicants (March 2022)
- Afghan Adjustment Act Factsheet (November 2021)
- Infographic on Different Statuses
- EOA’s August 2022 Week of Action Toolkit
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Factsheet
- Afghan Adjustment Act FAQ
- Veterans Afghan Adjustment Act Factsheet
- Organizational Press Releases on Reintroduction of Afghan Adjustment Act