Blumenauer Statement on Afghan SIV Program Provisions in 2017 NDAA Conferenced Bill

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) released the following statement on the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) provisions in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report:

“We’ve come a long way since we began this process earlier this year. Working with a bipartisan coalition in the House and Senate, we’ve fought to keep intact a program critical to those brave Afghan men and women who risked their lives, and those of their families, by helping the US mission on the ground. I am encouraged that this program will be extended through 2020, and that additional visas will be authorized.

“Our work, however, is far from done to meet our obligations to these faithful allies. With an estimated backlog of nearly 10,000 applicants, and almost no visas left, we need more visas. We also need to ease these new eligibility requirements, so that all of those at risk because of their help can make it out of harm’s way. We will continue to pursue any and every opportunity we have to fight for this program.”

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