Republicans in Congress are expressing varied positions on immigration policies concerning Afghan nationals, particularly those who provided assistance to U.S. military operations.
Administration's Immigration Policies
Over the past year, the U.S. government implemented pauses on certain visa and immigration programs for Afghan nationals. This included revoking temporary permissions for some Afghans already residing in the U.S. Additional restrictions were enacted following the charging of an Afghan national in a shooting incident involving a National Guard member in Washington, D.C.
President Trump, during his 2024 presidential campaign, has advocated for extensive deportation efforts and a "permanent pause on Third World migration," referencing countries including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Somalia.
Republican Perspectives on Afghan Immigration
- Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) cautioned against immediate policy changes that could prevent Afghans with valid immigration cases from entering the U.S. He highlighted the importance of such programs for U.S. military personnel and their relationships with Afghan allies.
- Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) voiced concerns regarding the impact of immigration cuts on Afghans who served U.S. troops in roles such as guards, drivers, interpreters, and cooks. She proposed "more intensive and careful vetting" as an alternative to broad restrictions.
- Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.), a member of the Homeland Security Committee, stated that the vetting process for immigrants, including Afghans, is primarily an executive branch responsibility, focusing on its execution.
- Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) supported the "Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act," a bipartisan bill designed to create a pathway to legal permanent residency for Afghans following additional vetting.
- Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), who has previously supported special immigrant visas for Afghan military interpreters, indicated it was "premature" to discuss restarting such conversations.
Policy Changes and Related Events
Upon assuming office, President Trump paused the refugee resettlement program, which affected approved Afghan refugees. Afghanistan was a significant source of refugees to the U.S. in fiscal year 2024, with 14,680 out of over 100,000 admitted refugees.
In June, Afghanistan was included in a list of 19 countries subject to travel restrictions to the U.S.
Following the D.C. shooting incident, the administration halted the processing of asylum cases, green cards, and other immigration services for individuals from countries on the June travel ban list. Processing of all visas specifically for Afghans was also paused.
Administration officials have stated that individuals from Afghanistan were not adequately vetted under the previous administration. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the individual charged in connection with the D.C. shooting, entered the U.S. in 2021 through the Operation Allies Welcome program under the Biden administration and was granted asylum under the Trump administration earlier this year. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson commented that the individual would not have been in the U.S. without the previous administration's policies. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested the suspect may have become radicalized after arriving in the U.S.
Congressional Action and Advocacy
Immigrant advocacy groups, including AfghanEvac, founded by Shawn VanDiver, have criticized Congress for not fully exercising its constitutional role in immigration policy and for failing to update relevant systems.
Congressional legislative efforts on immigration this year have largely concentrated on funding Department of Homeland Security enforcement. House Republicans removed a bipartisan provision from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would have reinstated a State Department office dedicated to relocating Afghan refugees. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), who introduced the provision, issued a statement criticizing this action.
The "Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act," which has bipartisan support, was introduced in August but has not advanced to a committee vote.