House to take up bill that will be adding more visas for Afghan immigrants.
July 23, 2021
A bill was scheduled for House consideration, that will authorize an additional 8,000 special immigrant visas for Afghan interpreters, contractors, as well as other vulnerable allies. This measure would open up the extra slots in a visa program designed to provide a safe haven for Afghan allies at risk of persecution or death if they remain in Afghanistan as the U.S. military completes its withdrawal from the country. Around 20,000 Afghans and their families are in line for the program, which has a total of 26,500 authorized slots. The State Department said around 750 SIV applicants will soon be evacuated to the United States and will complete their processing at Fort Lee.