12,000 SIV Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2024

Contact:

World Hazara Council-USA Expresses Gratitude to Congress for the Executive Signing of the Bipartisan Bill Granting 12,000 Additional Special Immigrant Visas for Afghan Nationals.

[Washington, DC] Saturday, March 23rd 2024, President Joe Biden signed into law the amendment to H.R. 2882, submitted by Representative Kay Granger (R-TX-12). Highlights of this bill include:

An authorization extension of the Special Immigration Visa (SIV) Program through December 31, 2025.
12,000 new Special Immigration Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals who have bravely supported the United States. The Biden administration and Senate lawmakers originally sought 20,000 SIVs.
$5,000,000 designated to programs to investigate and document human rights abuses against women in Afghanistan. Programs funded must be both led and co-designed by Afghan women.
Reimbursements of costs to U.S. institutions hosting Afghan students.
Modified learning opportunities for women and girls in Afghanistan, including efforts to expand internet access, on-line schooling, and distribution of educational content.

World Hazara Council-USA extends its heartfelt appreciation to the extensive bipartisan advocacy that passed the bill through both the House and the Senate.

Rose Lozon, Secretary of World Hazara Council-USA (WHC-USA), remarked, “The recognition of the importance of this bipartisan initiative cannot be understated. It is of the utmost urgency that we stand with our wartime allies, who sacrificed and put their lives on the line alongside our troops. It's important that veterans, citizens, and public servants alike continue to stand together and push forward for the 140,000 Afghans still in the visa process to have their cases processed to the full amount. A renewal of 12,000 visas is a step in the right direction for the ultimate protection of those whose very purpose in our 20-year war effort was to protect our troops.”

Allison Spencer, Vice President and Co-Founder of World Hazara Council USA, stated, “We are pleased that Congress has put partisanship aside and stepped up to provide these 12,000 additional visas for our wartime allies. This marks a positive step forward in fulfilling America's promise to our Afghan Allies, who stood alongside us throughout our nation's longest war. While there is still much to be done, the passage of this legislation will undoubtedly save lives by ensuring that there are continued pathways to safety for our allies left behind. We urge Congress to maintain this momentum and work together to expand pathways of protection for Afghan National though the Afghan Allies Protection Act (AAPA, S. 1786/H.R.3808) and the Afghan Adjustment Act, (AAA, S. 2327/H.R. 4627). Despite the broad and overwhelming bipartisan support for these bills, they have unfortunately stalled in Congress. It's crucial that we overcome these obstacles and prioritize the safety and well-being of our Afghan allies.”

World Hazara Council- USA is a 501c(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advocacy and humanitarian assistance to at-risk Hazara and at-risk marginalized populations in their time of need, both in the United States and globally. We strive to be a resource to defend human rights and every person's freedom to live. Our goals are to empower people at risk by amplifying their voices; to mobilize against attacks on marginalized populations; to provide monetary assistance, when needed, to keep those people safe from harm; and to develop and implement programs that empower and improve the quality of life of marginalized populations in need.

Learn more about World Hazara Council-USA’s Advocacy here.

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