Support Afghan allies

As we honor veterans this week, I encourage U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst to support the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act (S.4787/H.R.8685), so we can meet our nation’s obligations to our wartime allies. The act allows Afghan allies of U.S. service members, including Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and their families, to apply for lawful permanent residence. Afghan allies who apply to adjust their residency status would be subject to additional layers of screenings to ensure that they remain in good standing.

The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States and 22 other vets groups have called upon Congress to honor our allies and keep the promise that “no one will be left behind.” The act is also supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, Catholic Charities USA and the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.

The Afghan Adjustment Act is modeled after legislation passed following U.S. evacuations from Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia and Iraq. The act is co-sponsored by three Republican senators, Lindsey Graham, Roy Blunt, Linda Murkowski and three Democratic senators, Chris Coons, Richard Blumenthal, and Amy Klobuchar. Sens. Ernst and Grassley are key to the act’s passage. Sen. Ernst is the first female combat veteran to serve in the Senate and plays a crucial oversight role in the Armed Services Committee. Sen. Grassley is the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee which oversees immigration legislation.

Rev. Michael Wilker, Senior Pastor

First Lutheran Church, Decorah