Five years ago, the Taliban took control of Afghanistan during the U.S. withdrawal from the country. A massive evacuation operation from the Kabul airport helped rescue thousands of Afghans from certain death at the hands of the Taliban.

But thousands of America's former wartime allies were left behind.

The Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program has acted as an important pathway for Afghan allies who worked directly for the U.S. military and diplomatic mission in Afghanistan. Afghan SIV applicants must demonstrate proof of their faithful service to the U.S. mission, be interviewed, and clear background and other security checks as their case moves forward in the program. Congress created this program and has authorized visas for applicants.

Since late last year, however, visa issuance under the Afghan SIV program has been paused. Furthermore, the latest travel ban removed an exemption for Afghan SIVs to travel to the United States for entry and admission.

These restrictions have remained in place with no end in sight. Yet, the government is continuing to approve Afghan SIV applicants as eligible for the program, even though under current policy they will not be issued their visas or allowed to travel to the United States.

If America's wartime allies are deemed eligible based on their service and clear security vetting, they should be able to receive their visas and be welcomed into the country.

This is a path to safety that should not exist in name only.

As we reach the five-year anniversary of the withdrawal and evacuation from Afghanistan, we urge Congress to push the administration to revise the policies that have barred Afghan SIVs from reaching safety.

We ask our advocates to demand Action for Afghan Wartime Allies. End the Restrictions Keeping Afghan Allies in Harm’s Way.

View our action alert here.