The termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans is based on the claim that conditions in Afghanistan have improved, but the Taliban’s continued control of the nation contradicts this assessment. Human rights violations have only worsened, with women and girls at heightened risk of facing gender-based violence, in addition to thousands of disappearances, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial executions, attacks on freedom of expression, and the near collapse of their health system. Sending people who have fought alongside us, sought safety in the U.S., and would likely face retribution upon return to a country in crisis would be a complete reversal of our nation’s long-held values of refuge and humanitarian relief.
IINE has a long history of welcoming and supporting Afghans from the early 2000’s to today. After the fall of Kabul, our communities stepped up and opened our doors because it was the right thing to do. Thousands of Afghans left their homes behind, and in some cases their families, to ensure their safety, including our allies who aided American troops during the war. These brave and resilient individuals have become our neighbors, colleagues, and friends – like Nazia. An English teacher in Afghanistan, Nazia fled after receiving death threats from the Taliban for daring to educate women and girls. Today, Nazia continues to teach English in the Boston-area and hopes to pursue her masters. These are the kind of people we would be turning our backs on.
Debemos mantener nuestro compromiso de acoger a los necesitados, y podemos hacerlo. Con la aprobación de la Ley de Ajuste Afgano (AAA), el Congreso podría permitir a los afganos solicitar la tarjeta de residencia y abrirles el camino para convertirse en ciudadanos permanentes. Esto significaría que miles de afganos podrían reunirse con sus familias y, juntos, permanecer a salvo en Estados Unidos, un país al que han llegado a llamar hogar.
