Miller-Meeks, Crow Lead Bipartisan Effort to Honor Afghan Allies Through Afghan Adjustment Act
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) and Jason Crow (CO-06) today reintroduced the bipartisan Afghan Adjustment Act, legislation to provide a secure path to permanent legal residency for vetted Afghan nationals who stood alongside American forces during the war in Afghanistan.
Following President Trump’s recent call to ensure that our Afghan allies are not forgotten, this bill represents a renewed and focused effort in Congress to uphold America’s promise to those who served, fought, and risked their lives in support of U.S. missions.
“These men and women fought beside our troops and served alongside us with courage and loyalty,” said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, a 24-year Army veteran. “President Trump is right to call attention to their sacrifice, and we are answering that call by moving forward on legislation that honors our commitment. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Rep. Crow to protect those who protected us.”
“I served in combat in Afghanistan. I might not be here today were it not for the brave Afghans who fought & served alongside us,” said Rep. Crow. “After the war, we promised we’d protect those who protected us, and we need to make sure the U.S. is living up to that commitment. The Afghan Adjustment Act is an important next step to get vulnerable Afghan families to safety and ensure they can live in the United States.”
"The United States has a moral obligation to support the Afghans that risked their lives to aid and protect our service members and diplomats during America’s longest war. The Afghan Adjustment Act is a vital step to keep our word, strengthen national security, and uphold the values that define us as a nation," said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. "We are grateful to Representatives Jason Crow and Mariannette Miller-Meeks, members of the For Country Caucus, for their bipartisan leadership on this critical effort to protect our wartime allies and honor America's promise.”
Background:
On July 20th, President Trump posted on Truth Social that he intends to help the Afghans who aided our military. Miller-Meeks, a 24-year Army veteran, stepped up to answer that call, partnering with Crow, also an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan, to restart this crucial effort.
For more than 20 years, the U.S. mission in Afghanistan relied on thousands of Afghan nationals who served as translators, interpreters, and civil society leaders to support U.S. troops and the U.S. embassy. They risked their lives, and the lives of their families, to assist the United States. In exchange for this service, the U.S. promised them safety and security. The Afghan Adjustment Act is bipartisan legislation establishing a pathway to lawful permanent status for Afghans admitted to the United States with temporary humanitarian status following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.
The Afghan Adjustment Act would establish a pathway to lawful permanent resident status for eligible Afghans and incentivize those admitted to the United States with temporary humanitarian parole status to come forward for security vetting. After completing the additional vetting, including the in-person interview required during the application process, this pathway to status adjustment would provide eligible Afghans in need of protection with stability as they continue to rebuild their lives in the United States. Congress has passed similar bipartisan adjustment legislation in the wake of other wartime evacuations, humanitarian crises, and U.S. military actions including the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Joining Miller-Meeks and Crow in cosponsoring this legislation are Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Don Bacon (NE-02), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), and Ami Bera (CA-06).
Read the bill text HERE.