Republican Stances on Afghan Immigration Policy Diverge
Members of the Republican Party in Congress have expressed differing views regarding U.S. immigration policies concerning Afghan nationals, particularly those who assisted U.S. military efforts. This discussion occurs amid restrictive immigration measures enacted by the Trump administration and follows the charging of an Afghan national in a fatal shooting incident in Washington, D.C., last month.
Congressional Republican Perspectives
Several Republican senators have voiced concerns about the recent immigration restrictions:
- Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) cautioned against what he termed a "knee-jerk reaction" that could prevent Afghans with valid claims for temporary or permanent immigration status from entering the U.S. Tillis highlighted the importance of these individuals to U.S. special operators, stating, "One thing we've forgotten is how important that is for our special operators... It puts them in a more dangerous spot if we lose sight of that."
- Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) expressed concern about the impact of these cuts on Afghans. She noted, "There are Afghan citizens who acted as guards, drivers, interpreters, cooks for our troops." Collins suggested that "more intensive and careful vetting than occurred during the Biden administration" could be a solution, citing concerns from veterans regarding the safety of their Afghan allies.
These differing views within the Republican Party emerge as former President Trump's 2024 presidential campaign includes a focus on large-scale deportation efforts. Some Republicans have also opposed changes to visa programs for migrant laborers and supported more permanent status for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Historically, immigration cases for Afghan individuals who aided U.S. troops have received bipartisan support.
Trump Administration's Stance and Policy Changes
Former President Trump has publicly stated his intention for a "permanent pause on Third World migration," explicitly mentioning Afghanistan, Haiti, and Somalia, among other countries.
Throughout the past year, the Trump administration has implemented several immigration policy changes:
- Refugee Program Pause: On his first day in office, Trump paused the refugee resettlement program. Immigration advocates noted this action affected thousands, including Afghans, who had already received approval to enter the U.S. In fiscal year 2024, Afghanistan was a leading country for refugees admitted to the U.S., with 14,680 out of over 100,000 total refugees. Some Republicans initially raised concerns about this pause's effect on those who had aided U.S. armed forces. The administration later stated the refugee program had been scaled back, with a focus on white South African entrants.
- Travel Restrictions: In June, Afghanistan was included in a list of 19 countries subject to U.S. travel restrictions.
- Post-Shooting Restrictions: Following the attack on National Guard members in D.C. around Thanksgiving, the administration paused the processing of asylum cases, green cards, and other immigration services for individuals from countries on the June travel ban list. Processing for all visas specifically for Afghans was also halted.
Trump has attributed vetting issues to the Biden administration. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the individual charged in the D.C. shooting, was admitted to the U.S. in 2021 under the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome program and granted asylum earlier this year under the Trump administration. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson commented on the Republican divisions, stating, "This animal would've never been here if not for Joe Biden's dangerous policies which allowed countless unvetted criminals to invade our country and harm the American people." The clarity regarding what additional vetting might have uncovered prior to Lakanwal's arrival remains unestablished. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested the suspect may have undergone radicalization after entering the U.S.
Advocacy groups have previously criticized agencies such as the CIA and DHS for a perceived lack of resources, including mental health support, for Afghan soldiers transitioning to life in America after difficult experiences related to their service.
Congressional Role and Future Legislation
Immigrant advocacy organizations have stated that lawmakers have not adequately asserted their constitutional role in immigration policy. Shawn VanDiver, founder of AfghanEvac, an organization advocating for Afghans who worked with U.S. troops, stated during a press conference: "Instead of asserting its constitutional role, Congress has allowed itself to be sidelined, failing to provide meaningful oversight... The vacuum they have left is being filled with fear-mongering, not facts; politics, not policy."
Legislative activity concerning immigration has been limited in Congress this year, with a primary focus on funding Department of Homeland Security enforcement. Other efforts to facilitate or reform immigration processes have experienced delays.
Some Republicans, including Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) of the Homeland Security Committee, have indicated that immigration vetting is primarily an executive branch issue, stating, "Our staff are not the ones that are actually doing the vetting. The vetting process does exist and is out there. It's just a matter of its execution at this point."
Republican leadership in the House removed a bipartisan provision from the National Defense Authorization Act that would have reinstated a State Department office responsible for relocating Afghan refugees. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), who introduced the provision, stated, "Republican leadership tanked months of bipartisan work... It is truly shameful that my Republican colleagues... have once again put blind loyalty to Trump over American principles and obligations."
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) suggested passing the "Fulfilling Promises to Afghan Allies Act," a bipartisan bill introduced in August that would provide a pathway to legal permanent residency for Afghans after additional vetting. The bill has not yet seen a committee vote. Senator Cassidy stated, "I'd like to see the bill that I sponsored, which would have increased vetting on anybody applying here, to take effect before we make another decision."
However, Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), who has supported special immigrant visas for Afghan military interpreters in the past, indicated that the current timing is "premature to talk about" restarting such discussions.