The SIV program is designed to protect Afghan nationals whose work to support the United States’ mission has put their safety at risk. Cases are required by statute to be completed within 9 months. However, significant SIV backlogs have left hundreds of thousands of eligible individuals and their families waiting – often for four years or more – in dangerous conditions while their applications are processed. Three years ago, the International Refugee Assistance Project secured a favorable court order in its Afghan & Iraqi Allies vs Blinken - a lawsuit challenging the government’s failure to process applications for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) within the timeline mandated by Congress. However, the government appealed the court-ordered adjudication plan and the case is now before the Court of Appeals. Nine in ten Americans say they support keeping the U.S.’s word to Afghans who helped U.S. forces. It is incumbent upon Congress to ensure that the U.S. government follows through on its promises to those in danger, including Afghans who risked their lives to support the U.S. mission.
Here’s what you can do:
Take action: urge Congress to hold the administration accountable for processing applications for protection in a timely manner and addressing backlogs.
Amplify on social media: You can use our graphics and sample posts as a guide.