Displaced International Statement Welcoming US Bipartisan Congressional Support for Afghan Allies
Displaced International (DI) welcomes the US bipartisan congressional letter of May 16, 2025, calling for an additional 20,000 Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations bill.
This critical request reaffirms the United States’ enduring commitment to Afghan allies who, at great personal risk, served alongside US troops, diplomats, and contractors in pursuit of security and democratic progress in Afghanistan. These individuals placed their trust in US leadership and have undergone the highest levels of US government vetting, proving themselves time and again as loyal and invaluable partners.
We echo the letter’s key recommendation: that Congress must act to keep the SIV program operational by ensuring a sufficient number of visas are authorized and funded. Without continued support, thousands of Afghan allies – many of whom remain in grave danger from the Taliban, al Qaeda, and other hostile actors – may be left without the protection they were promised. “These brave individuals stood shoulder to shoulder with US forces in pursuit of shared democratic values,” said Ambassador M. Ashraf Haidari, Founder and President of Displaced International. “Abandoning them now would not only break America’s promise but also undermine its moral leadership worldwide.”
As highlighted in the US bipartisan congressional letter, the SIV program has been strengthened over the years through strong bipartisan and bicameral cooperation and has been a cornerstone of US shared moral and national security commitments. Congress’s continued investment in this life-saving program is essential not only to honoring those promises but also to preserving the credibility of the United States as a nation that stands by its allies.
The American public has consistently shown unwavering support for Afghan partners, from the 2021 evacuations to the countless communities across the country who have welcomed US allies with open arms. DI joins with veterans, faith leaders, and civil society in urging Congress to sustain this momentum and fulfill what remains of the US collective responsibility.
We thank the signatories of the US bipartisan congressional letter for their leadership and advocacy. Displaced International stands ready to support the implementation of this recommendation and work toward a future where every Afghan ally promised safety by the United States finds the security they deserve.
