Advocacy groups, led by the #AfghanEvac coalition, are pressuring President Trump over policies blocking the resettlement of Afghan allies. They criticize recent actions that threaten the safety of an estimated 200,000 Afghans, calling it a betrayal. Veterans and advocacy organizations are urged to contact representatives in opposition to these policies, while concerns mount over the dissolution of the office managing Afghan relocations.

Advocacy groups that have facilitated the resettlement of Afghans who supported U.S. forces during the war are intensifying their campaign against President Donald Trump. They are protesting the Trump administration’s actions which have effectively barred the relocation of an estimated 200,000 individuals now at risk due to Taliban retaliation. The coalition, comprising over 250 organizations, urges veterans of the global war on terror to mobilize against these recent policy changes.

In an open letter directed to veterans, Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and founder of the AfghanEvac coalition, criticized the administration, stating, “This is worse than the chaotic withdrawal in August 2021. Because now, we know better. Because this time, it is not an accident. It is an intentional betrayal of those we swore to stand with and an insult to the veterans who led this fight.” This significant reversal follows Trump’s executive actions executed shortly after he assumed office, which suspended all refugee admissions and foreign aid.

Trump’s decisions barred many vetted Afghans from resettling in the U.S., undermining the efforts to protect those who assisted the American military during the lengthy conflict. VanDiver’s letter encourages veterans to advocate for a change in policy by contacting their representatives. He attributes responsibility for these decisions, including the reported influence of senior adviser Stephen Miller, noting that other officials, such as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz—a combat veteran—oppose this approach.

Miller’s past support for dismantling the refugee system raised alarms, especially considering the precarious situation that the Taliban’s return to power has created for Afghan allies. The letter further highlighted that among the individuals affected are 3,000 family members of active-duty U.S. troops, with many who had finalized travel arrangements now stranded abroad.

During a recent interview, VanDiver expressed skepticism regarding Trump’s awareness of these issues, stating, “Because it’s hard for my brain, or our brains, to understand that he would be such a hypocrite. It’s too hard for my brain to comprehend that he would know that this was happening and just leave these people behind.”

The current situation is compounded by plans within Trump’s administration to dismantle the State Department office tasked with overseeing Afghan resettlement efforts, known as the Office of the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts (CARE). If these plans are enacted, it would signify a complete cessation of efforts meant to aid Afghan allies and their families, despite the fact Congress recently extended its funding for three more years.

The letter from the coalition firmly asserts that misleading claims will be made about the status of these individuals, emphasizing that the systemic dismantling the relocation infrastructure is intentional. The processing of special immigrant visas alone will not suffice if the necessary funding and flights are canceled. Since the chaotic events of 2021, approximately 200,000 Afghans have begun resettling in America, and the proposed plans could halt future assistance.

The advocacy coalition’s intensified efforts underscore a significant concern regarding the treatment of Afghan allies by the Trump administration. With nearly 200,000 individuals currently in peril and plans to dissolve critical resettlement efforts, veterans and advocacy groups are mobilizing to demand accountability. The letter from Shawn VanDiver highlights the perceived betrayal of Afghan allies, urging a reconsideration of current policies to ensure their safety and well-being.

Original Source: www.pbs.org

Related posts:

Afghans Urge U.S. Action Amid Refugee Program Suspension by Trump Administration Tulsi Gabbard’s Advocacy for Hindu Rights in Bangladesh and Pakistan Afghan Nationals Depart for the U.S. After Visa Processing in the Philippines UN Agencies Urge Caution as Pakistan Moves to Deport Afghan Refugees