Senator Warnock joins bipartisan effort to support the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans

Senators: “Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, the U.S. has been operating on the ground in Afghanistan with the support of Afghan civilians.[…] The Special Immigrant Visa program was established to provide a well-vetted pathway to safety for these Afghans and allows the U.S. to fulfill its commitment to those who put themselves at risk.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined the bipartisan call to President Biden expressing widespread support for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Afghans and urging continued support from the administration to uphold the integrity of the program. In a bipartisan letter, led by U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), Senator Warnock and colleagues urged the administration’s support of the SIV program, the only path to ensuring the safety of Afghan allies that aided U.S. service members and diplomats.

The Senators wrote, “Following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, the U.S. has been operating on the ground in Afghanistan with the support of Afghan civilians. Not only have these Afghans supported the military and diplomatic efforts of the United States, they have saved the lives of U.S. service members and diplomatic personnel. Because of this work and their association to the United States, they have faced threats to their lives and the lives of their families. The Special Immigrant Visa program was established to provide a well-vetted pathway to safety for these Afghans and allows the U.S. to fulfill its commitment to those who put themselves at risk.”

The bipartisan group of lawmakers went on to underscore their concerns for the safety of Afghan civilians who have supported the U.S. mission as the United States withdraws from Afghanistan, and in light of recent reports of Taliban threats against these individuals. The Senators emphasized,“As Afghans face renewed security concerns due to their work with the U.S., we must ensure that the SIV program has the capacity to bring them to safety.”

The Senators closed their letter with a series of key areas within the program where Congress can work with the administration to best support the SIV program, including authorization of additional visas, a review of the SIV program’s process and capacity, addressing the backlog of applications and more.

In addition to Senator Warnock, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Cardin (D-MD), Coons (D-DE), Durbin (D-IL), Ernst (R-IA),Gillibrand (D-NY), Graham (R-SC), Johnson (R-WI), Kaine (D-VA), King (I-ME), Leahy (D-VT), Lummis (R-WY), Menendez (D-NJ), Reed (D-RI), Rounds (R-SD) Shaheen (D-NH),), Reed (D-RI), Rounds (R-SD), Sullivan (R-AK), Van Hollen (D-MD), Schatz (D-HI), and Wicker (R-MS).

***Read the full letter here***

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