The safety of Afghan allies who stood by U.S. military and diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan is in immediate jeopardy. These individuals risked their lives to support American forces under dangerous and life-threatening conditions. Yet, despite their bravery, they are now facing immense obstacles in securing their safety through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. Years of bureaucratic delays, policy changes, and geopolitical instability under both the Biden and Trump administrations have left these individuals stranded and vulnerable. The recent suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) has compounded their plight, putting their futures at grave risk.
The SIV Program: A Lifeline at Risk
The SIV program was created to offer a safe pathway to the U.S. for Afghan nationals who worked closely with U.S. forces, whether as interpreters, drivers, or in other critical roles. These individuals placed themselves and their families in great danger to assist the U.S., yet many are now caught in an endless bureaucratic cycle. Systemic delays and inefficiencies within the program have meant that many have been left waiting for years without the safety they were promised. The U.S. government took on the obligation to help these allies, but that promise is now at risk.
Afghan applicants for the SIV program faced years of delays even before the fall of Kabul. Lengthy background checks, security clearances, and processing time kept them waiting for months, even years, while the clock ticked down on their safety.
Despite assurances to expedite evacuation and resettlement efforts, the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 left tens of thousands of Afghan allies behind. The withdrawal was uncoordinated, with little organization to ensure that approved SIV applicants were safely evacuated. While the Biden administration aimed to bring as many people to safety as possible, the hasty nature of the withdrawal meant that over 40,000 SIV applicants were left stranded.
Many of these individuals are now hiding from the Taliban, fearing for their lives, as they wait for a chance to reach safety. Bureaucratic delays have left families without the protection they were promised, and now many are trapped in limbo, unable to escape the danger they face.
Afghan refugees who managed to arrive in the United States under humanitarian parole were placed in temporary housing, often for months, with little access to long-term solutions. Nonprofit organizations, which stepped in to support these refugees, were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of people, leading to difficulties in meeting even basic needs.
In 2025, the Trump administration’s actions exacerbated the plight of Afghan allies, particularly through a series of executive orders and policies that severely limited aid to refugees and delayed SIV processing.
The Trump administration ordered a 90-day freeze on foreign aid, which halted vital funding for refugees in transit countries such as Pakistan, Qatar, and Albania. This freeze effectively stalled SIV processing, leaving approved applicants in a state of legal limbo as they wait for resettlement in the U.S.
Afghan refugees who are waiting in countries like Pakistan now face the threat of deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan due to the suspension of resettlement programs. This places many refugees in grave danger, as they could be forcibly returned to a country where they face persecution and death.
Funding cuts for housing and resettlement programs have left Afghan refugees who have made it to the United States struggling to integrate into their new lives. With fewer resources for housing assistance, job placement, and language services, many Afghan families have been forced into homelessness or unstable living situations.
A Critical Time for U.S. Leadership
The current situation demands urgent action. U.S. leaders – especially those with direct experience in Afghanistan, like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz – have a unique understanding of the risks Afghan allies face. These leaders have the power to drive policy changes and use their influence to ensure that Afghan allies are not left behind.
Hegseth and Waltz know firsthand the sacrifices Afghan allies made, often at great personal risk. Their leadership in ensuring that U.S. policy reflects the promises made to these allies will be crucial to keeping the U.S. government accountable and to protecting the safety of those who supported the United States’ efforts in Afghanistan.
The failure to protect Afghan allies is more than just a humanitarian issue; it has serious implications for U.S. national security and international relations.
If Afghan allies are abandoned, it will erode trust in the U.S. commitment to its allies. This loss of trust could discourage future cooperation with U.S. forces in conflicts around the world, as potential allies will hesitate to offer support if they fear their own safety is not guaranteed.
U.S. counterterrorism efforts rely heavily on local partnerships and cooperation. Without the support of Afghan allies, future counterterrorism operations will be far more difficult, and the U.S. will face more challenges in combating extremism effectively.
Countries like Pakistan, Albania, and other nations that have hosted Afghan refugees have already borne significant costs. If the U.S. fails to honor its commitments to these allies, it risks damaging important diplomatic relationships that are critical for future cooperation.
Immediate Actions Needed to Safeguard Afghan Allies
Advocacy groups, U.S. veterans, and bipartisan lawmakers are calling for immediate action to address the crisis faced by Afghan allies. Here’s what needs to be done.
The U.S. must urgently restart SIV processing and evacuations for Afghan allies who are still waiting in Afghanistan and third countries. Delays in their resettlement are not only a moral failure but also a grave national security risk.
Afghan refugees currently residing in countries like Pakistan, Qatar, and Albania must be protected from deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The U.S. must provide necessary support to help them transition to safety, which means restoring aid to third-country partners sheltering SIV applicants.
Afghan allies who risked their lives in support of U.S. efforts deserve a clear and accessible pathway to permanent U.S. residency. These individuals have already demonstrated their loyalty to the United States, and we must ensure that they are not left in a state of uncertainty.
Afghan refugees need the support of the U.S. government to successfully integrate into American society. This includes funding for housing, employment assistance, and language services, all of which are critical to ensuring they can build stable lives in the United States.
The U.S. made a solemn promise to protect those who supported its missions in Afghanistan. The time to act is now. We urge Secretary of Defense Hegseth, National Security Adviser Waltz, and other senior U.S. officials who served in Afghanistan to raise their voices and demand that the U.S. government fulfill its commitment to these Afghan allies.
Their lives depend on it. The credibility of the United States on the world stage depends on it. Let’s act now before it’s too late.
