Veterans groups plead with Trump to reconsider ban on Afghan allies amid immigration crackdown


Multiple veterans groups send letter to president Donald Trump on Thursday urged him to reconsider his latest executive order on immigration and refugee programs, citing concerns about the safety of Afghan interpreters helping the U.S. military and their families.

this executive orderadjustments to the U.S. refugee program will take effect on Monday and the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Trump’s order immediately suspends all processing and movement of USRAP refugees who have been referred because of their association with the United States, such as family members of service members and partner forces in Afghanistan.

Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for people who work directly for or support the U.S. government, including interpreters and contractors, do not appear to be directly affected.

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Trump signs executive order at the White House

President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders at the White House on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

But they may be indirectly affected by implementation decisions or other orders, according to #AfghaneVac, a nonprofit that helps facilitate the relocation and resettlement of U.S. allies in Afghanistan.

Veterans groups want to highlight the “unintended consequences” of the order, claiming it could have a detrimental impact on the mental health of countless veterans.

The letter, obtained by Fox News, discusses many of the bonds service member Veterans who join Afghan partners in support of the Global War on Terror often do so at great personal risk to themselves and their families.

“Currently, the suspension of certain pathways in these allied countries may inadvertently penalize individuals who may qualify for special Immigrant visa (SIV), but are not currently holding them – not because they are ineligible, but because of the chaotic and chaotic and confusing nature of the withdrawal from Afghanistan under the previous administration. ”

Taliban soldiers wear equipment we left behind as they exit Afghanistan

The Taliban held a military march and captured equipment from the U.S. Army in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on November 8, 2021. (Murtezachaliqi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The groups said they “fully support” Trump’s goals of prioritizing U.S. security but believe there is a clear opportunity to address the issue without harming Afghan partners.

The executive order argued that further refugees would be “adverse to the interests of the United States,” but noted that the secretaries of state and homeland security could jointly make exceptions and allow refugees on a case-by-case basis when it is in the national interest and does not pose a threat to the security or welfare of the United States.

Pay attention to afghan partners The groups said at the time of the deportations that partners’ immediate family faced serious threats from the Taliban and could lose hope of safe passage.

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The letter said they asked the president to consider SIV-eligible allies and their families to prevent them from being “inadvertently abandoned due to errors under evacuation.”

“This approach will protect those who risk their lives for our country while reinforcing the administration’s clear commitment to national security,” they wrote.

#AfghaneVac says USRAP has no impact on illegal immigration. Refugees must be vetted before entering the United States, and crossing the border without authorization invalidates their eligibility.

Chad Robichaux, a U.S. Marine Corps scout and defense contractor, told Fox News that he has spent many years of his life protecting the U.S. both domestically and internationally. , but the sacrifices are not made only by American service members.

Taliban march in Afghanistan

Taliban fighters patrol during celebrations of the second anniversary of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Tuesday, August 15. (AP/Abdul Khaliq)

“Afghan interpreters risk their lives with us to defeat the Taliban’s evil,” Robichaux said. “When Afghanistan fell, I personally went to rescue my interpreter, Aziz, from the hands of that very evil man, sending him to American soil. President Trump is taking strong steps to ensure that this sacred of soil security. But in doing so, (IT) these Afghan allies are at greater risk than some of our own citizens, and I seek due due in these sweeping security measures. Protect.”

#AfghaneVac said the suspension effectively trapped thousands of Afghan allies. The group claimed that at least 10 to 15,000 people were in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries undergoing full screening and waiting for flights.

Trump orders tens of thousands of Afghan allies awaiting US resettlement

NRF in Afghanistan

against Taliban fighters. (Source: National Resistance Front)

Groups that signed the letter include: Save Our Allies; Shepherd’s Response; Verardo Group; The Independence Fund; Diesel Jack Media; Special Operations Association of America; and the Mighty Oaks Foundation.

Tim Kennedy — Green Beret, former UFC fighter, founder of Shepherd’s Response, President of Save Our Allies — told Fox News that this is America’s mission to protect our allies responsibility.

“I have served some of the most patriotic heroes our country has to offer. I have watched them brilliantly and heroically sacrifice life and limb to protect America,” Kennedy said. “Among those patriots, there are those who braved the Taliban Threatening and brutalizing Afghans in defense of the freedoms and American ideals we hold dear.”

Tim Kennedy in 2016

Tim Kennedy during the UFC 206 weigh-in at the Air Canada Air Center. (Tom Szczerbowski-Us Sports Today)

#AfghaneVac says there are still 150,000 to 250,000 Afghans seeking reconciliation. An estimated 40,000 to 60,000 are refugees under USRAP.

“The Biden administration is responsible for the blood of our exit from Afghanistan,” Kennedy said. “Our allies who are serving on the sidelines are not receiving the commitments we are delivering. I applaud President Trump for his necessary and exemplary efforts to ensure that we The country is protected from foreign threats, but we have a responsibility to protect and preserve the sanctity of our commitment to those who are Afghanistan’s allies.

According to Fox News Digital, approximately 180,000 Afghans have been resettled in the United States since the end of the war in 2021.

Many people still awaiting refugee approval are in hiding in pakistan,,,, Fear of being deported back to Afghanistan.

Biden in the Rose Garden

President Joe Biden speaks in the Rose Garden of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce CNETA)

Special Operations Association CEO Daniel Elkins said he is certain there would be more Americans at Arlington Cemetery if they weren’t risking their lives to help our Afghans. , now is our time to help them. “

Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told Fox News he looks forward to continuing to work with our allies as they advocate for all Afghan allies. Former President Joe Biden )”abandon”.

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“While President Biden has consistently dismissed veterans and service members from helping their allies in Afghanistan, President Trump cares about America’s veterans and service members and will listen to them,” McCaul said.

The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment Thursday night.

Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this story.



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