Senators Push for More Visas for Afghan Allies

Bipartisan effort seeks to protect Afghans who aided U.S. troops, as current visa cap nears its limit.

Senators from both major political parties are urging for an increase in the number of special immigrant visas for Afghans who aided the U.S. during the war, stating that an additional 20,000 visas are needed by September.
The special immigrant visa program, which has been in place since 2009, has seen a surge in applicants following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
Advocates warn that without an increase in visas, tens of thousands of Afghan allies face grave danger from the Taliban, who have labeled them as traitors.
Efforts to permanently provide a pathway to citizenship for Afghan allies have been thwarted by disagreements over border policy between Democrats and Republicans.
The State Department has streamlined the visa application process, resulting in more Afghans reaching safety, but the visa cap set by Congress is rapidly approaching its limit.