Veterans, U.S. Officials Urge Trump to Continue Afghan Resettlement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of U.S. veterans, current and former officials are calling on former President Donald Trump to uphold special immigration and resettlement programs for Afghan nationals, warning that ending them would abandon allies who risked their lives for the United States.
The appeal, outlined in a letter signed by hundreds of veterans, officials, and advocates, urges Trump and congressional leaders to maintain protections for Afghans facing Taliban retaliation due to their support of the U.S. military during the 20-year war. The effort is led by #AfghanEvac, a coalition of organizations working to assist Afghan refugees in rebuilding their lives in the U.S.
“Many of us worked closely with Afghan interpreters, soldiers, and families who risked everything to protect and guide us,” the letter states. “Abandoning them now would be a betrayal of the values we fought for and the trust built through years of shared sacrifice.”
The letter calls on Trump and Congress to continue funding resettlement efforts and approve an additional 50,000 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghans still seeking safety.
Visa Limits and Growing Concerns
The current SIV cap of 50,500 visas is expected to run out by late summer or early fall, leaving thousands of at-risk Afghans in limbo. Despite the urgency, Trump’s transition team has yet to respond to the request.
Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac, said the letter reflects concerns that a second Trump administration could restrict SIV and refugee resettlement programs as part of tighter immigration policies.
“There is a real fear that President Trump and Stephen Miller will once again impose bureaucratic hurdles to slow or even halt the SIV and refugee programs, leaving our Afghan allies behind,” VanDiver said.
On January 8, #AfghanEvac posted on social media, amplifying their call to action:
Hundreds of veterans, frontline civilians, & advocates have signed our open letter urging the incoming administration to honor America’s commitment to #Afghan allies.
Check out the @Reuters exclusive by @JonathanLanday https://t.co/bKYMzm7PoD
— #AfghanEvac (@afghanevac) January 8, 2025
Trump’s Immigration Stance Sparks Debate
The future of Afghan resettlement could hinge on Trump’s immigration policies, which were a central theme in his campaign. During his first term, his administration implemented stringent vetting measures that significantly slowed SIV processing, creating a massive backlog.
Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump’s hardline immigration policies, is expected to return as deputy chief of staff, raising concerns among advocates that the next administration may impose further restrictions.
However, Trump’s newly appointed National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, a former U.S. Army Green Beret who served in Afghanistan, has been an outspoken supporter of SIV and refugee resettlement programs—setting up a potential clash within Trump’s team.
183,000 Afghans Resettled, but More Remain in Limbo
The State Department reports that over 183,000 Afghan nationals and their families have been resettled in the U.S. since the fall of Kabul in August 2021. However, thousands more remain in transit countries, including Pakistan, where many Afghans have faced recent detentions and deportations.
Advocates warn that without continued U.S. commitment, those who risked their lives for America could be left behind. With Trump’s potential return to the White House, the fate of Afghan resettlement programs remains uncertain.
