Juneau— Today, the Alaska House of Representatives passed House Joint Resolution 13, a bipartisan call to the federal government urging to resume evacuation operations for Afghani allies with approved Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs). The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Will Stapp (R-Fairbanks) and passed with strong support from the House Republican Caucus.
“Thousands of Afghan allies risked their lives supporting American troops and diplomats, during Operation Enduring Freedom. We made them a promise, and we should honor that commitment,” said Rep. Stapp.
HJR 13 urges the President of the United States and key federal agencies to resume evacuation flights for approved SIV holders, accelerate visa processing, and provide humanitarian protections for individuals and families stranded in Afghanistan and third-party countries like Pakistan.
Key provisions of the resolution include:
- Urging the Coordinator for Afghan Relocation Efforts to resume evacuation flights from Afghanistan.
- Requesting expedited processing and resettlement for SIV holders and their families in third-party host countries.
- Calling on the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to prioritize family reunification and prevent indefinite separation of Afghan allies from spouses and children.
- Demanding legal protections and humanitarian support to prevent detentions or deportations of SIV applicants stranded abroad.
- Requiring a report to Congress within 60 days on federal efforts to resume evacuations and overcome logistical obstacles.
The Special Immigrant Visa program was created to protect foreign nationals, particularly interpreters and support staff, who served alongside U.S. forces during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Many continue to face retaliation and life-threatening danger following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.