The Afghan Adjustment Act, A bill introduced by members of Congress from both parties, would provide legal status in the United States to many Afghans.
A total of 84,000 Afghan refugees granted legal residency in the United States since American troops left Afghanistan in August 2021.
Many came to the U.S. through humanitarian parole. A fast-track system that enabled tens of thousands of people to enter the country quickly after Afghanistan’s collapse in 2001—and an exodus from Kabul by airlift.
Humanitarian parole offers Afghans who fled their homeland the chance to live and work in America for up to two years. While this program is similar in some ways—including its requirement that hosts be willing to provide housing, food, health insurance, and other basic necessities. While they are not working or studying full-time at an accredited university unlike Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). Which allow former U.S.-affiliated Afghan translators easy access Humanitarian parole allows Afghans to live and work in the US for two years. But does not offer a clear path to permanent residency. The SIV program for Afghan nationals who worked with the US government, is in a category separate from P visas.
The proposed new American Parole System (AAA), which was introduced in Congress in August and could be brought to a vote before the end of this session, may offer parolees a new process.
Is there support for the bill?
When the city of Kabul fell to the Taliban last year. There was an outpouring of support for Afghans and calls by legislators to stand behind those who worked with Americans during their two-decade war. The passage of America’s Afghan Allies Act seen by many as fulfilling that promise.
A poll in October 2021 showed that 72 percent of Americans favored granting entry to the US for Afghans who had worked with the government or cooperated with U.S. forces, while 42 percent supported giving refuge to others fleeing Taliban rule.
US President Joe Biden urged Congress to take action in May to provide Afghans with a path toward permanent residency. Immigrant rights groups have pushed legislators for swift passage of such legislation.
The International Rescue Committee called the AAA “a clear demonstration of American values in action”, while five Pillars—an aid group that works with Afghan refugees—calls it a move “that could lift tens of thousands of Afghans out of impending legal limbo.”
Overseas Afghan
Although the United States was able to evacuate tens of thousands of Afghans last year. Many were left behind, and it looks increasingly shaky for them to come here.
Over 50,000 more Afghans applied for humanitarian parole since July 2021—but as of this month, just 410 accepted.
About 70 percent of the applicants are in Afghanistan, while the rest are in third-party countries. However, USCIS says that most have not yet received a response to their applications.
What is the Afghan Adjustment Act, and how does it affect refugees in America?
