The annual defense policy bill will provide 3,500 more visas for Afghans who helped U.S. troops, The Hill reports. “The conferees believe the special immigrant visa program continues to be critical for the U.S. government’s operations in Afghanistan,” a conference report released Thursday says.
The special immigrant visa program, which has been launched in 2009, is meant to help Afghans facing threats to their lives for serving as interpreters or otherwise assisting U.S. troops. The program was nearly terminated earlier this year due to a lack of available visas. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul stopped interviewing applicants in March and said it would not start again until Congress intervened.
Congress ultimately approved 2,500 more visas as part of a government spending bill in May, which prevented the program from lapsing, The Hill notes. The Senate-passed version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would have added another 4,000 visas to the program. Senator Jeanne Shaheen applauded the compromise of 3,500 visas in the final bill, saying she hopes this is the “first of many” investments in the visa program.
“Afghan civilian interpreters risk their safety and the welfare of their families to aid U.S. forces. Their service to our nation and mission in Afghanistan has saved American lives on and off the battlefield. I’m glad to see support from Congress for my effort to authorize additional visas so we can ensure the protection of our courageous interpreters and support staff.” Shaheen stressed.
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