The U.S. Congress, in collaboration with the White House, has reached a bipartisan agreement to include an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) for Afghan nationals who assisted the U.S. during the 20-year war in Afghanistan. This decision is part of a broader $1 trillion spending package for FY2024, which is expected to be deliberated upon by Congress this week. The initiative has been in discussion for years and aims to address the backlog and delays faced by Afghan allies seeking refuge in the U.S. following their service. The House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair, Michael McCaul, expressed satisfaction over the forthcoming agreement, highlighting the ongoing negotiations over the exact number of visas. This development has been met with bipartisan support, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to uphold its commitment to Afghan allies. Furthermore, there's a push for the passage of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide these individuals with a pathway to lawful permanent resident status.
GOP not only giving Biden everything he wants on the DHS budget but even adding in thousands of ADDITIONAL Afghan visas. Anyone home?
US to lift Afghan visa limit under Biden, Congress deal https://t.co/IDnkntmHMA https://t.co/NjuVZznlsf
US President Joe Biden's administration has reached a compromise deal with Republicans in House of Representatives to lift the number of resettlement visas for Afghans who worked for the United States, US lawmakers said on Tuesday. https://t.co/PMJAdTjpT3
NEWS: The SIV program for Afghan nationals who assisted the U.S. during the 20-year war gets a boost in the FY2024 spending bill. Plus, top generals criticize State Dept. role in the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation: https://t.co/scpYafV0WP https://t.co/bVRiVG7IDU
Great news! Next, Congress needs to pass the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act and provide a pathway to lawful permanent resident status for these brave allies who assisted U.S. troops for two decades. https://t.co/fztbeOd3pL
🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS — The $1 trillion minibus that will come to the floor this week includes 12,000 new Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan nationals who assisted the U.S. in Afghanistan, according to six sources involved in crafting the bill. Much more in PM W @maxpcohen…
NEWS — White House & congressional leaders reached agreement on an additional 12,000 Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan nationals who assisted the U.S. war effort, per sources This is tucked into the funding package Congress will consider this wk Effort has been delayed for yrs
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair McCaul, at a hearing on Afghanistan, says he's "pleased to announce ... that we will have an agreement" to increase the number of Afghan SIV recipients. Says the number is still being negotiated.