Jesuit Refugee Service/USA (JRS/USA) welcomes re-introduction of the Afghan Adjustment Act, which will provide long-term security to tens of thousands of Afghans who arrived in the United States after the U.S. military withdrawal in 2021. This bill will ensure that Afghans evacuated to the U.S. can apply for permanent legal status, avoid years of needless asylum processing, and save precious government resources. 

“Soon we will mark two years since the U.S. opened its doors to at-risk Afghans fleeing for their lives,” said Joan Rosenhauer, President at JRS/USA. “During that time, they have settled into new homes, started jobs, and enrolled in schools, making positive contributions to their communities. It is our duty to ensure that they do not live in fear of being returned to Afghanistan, but instead can rebuild their lives in peace.”  

Since 2021, approximately 88,500 Afghan nationals have arrived in the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, a coordinated effort across the federal government to support and resettle vulnerable Afghans, including those who worked on behalf of the United States. Upon arrival, they received a temporary two-year immigration status known as humanitarian parole. The Afghan Adjustment Act will remedy this legal uncertainty by providing a path to permanent residency. 

“We thank Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Representatives Blumenauer (D-OR) and Miller-Meeks (R-IA) for their leadership in re-introducing the Afghan Adjustment Act and look forward to working with Congress to pass this important piece of bipartisan legislation,” said Giulia McPherson, VP of Advocacy & Operations at JRS/USA. “We also thank the Biden Administration for extending humanitarian parole for Afghans earlier this year as we continue our efforts to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.”