January 2, 2023

Congress has tried to create a path to residency for Afghans who worked alongside U.S. soldiers during the war but so far, no. That's because Chuck Grassley has blocked the most recent attempt in the year-end funding bill. Via the Des Moines Register:

Some lawmakers had hoped to resolve the Afghans' immigration status as part of a year-end government funding package. But supporters said U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, blocked the bill.

The result is grave uncertainty for refugees now facing an August deadline for action from Congress before their temporary parole status expires.

Nearly 76,000 Afghans who worked with American soldiers since 2001 as translators, interpreters and partners arrived in the U.S. on military planes after the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021. The government admitted the refugees on a temporary parole status as part of Operation Allies Welcome, the largest resettlement effort in the country in decades, with the promise of a path to a life in the U.S. for their service.

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