KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A coalition of U.S. veterans, officials, and advocates is calling on President-elect Donald Trump to uphold and expand resettlement programs for Afghan allies who face severe risks under Taliban rule, according to Reuters.
In a letter, reviewed by Reuters, over 380 signatories emphasized the moral obligation to support Afghans who worked alongside U.S. forces during the 20-year war.
Organized by #AfghanEvac, the letter appeals for the continuation of Special Immigration Visa (SIV) programs and the approval of an additional 50,000 visas to address an impending cap.
“To abandon them now would be a betrayal of the values we fought to defend and the trust built through years of shared struggle and sacrifice,” the letter states.
The current limit of 50,500 SIVs is expected to be exhausted by late summer, raising concerns among advocates.
Shawn VanDiver, head of #AfghanEvac, expressed fears that Trump’s immigration policies, shaped by advisor Stephen Miller, could impose new bureaucratic hurdles or halt the program entirely. Miller, known for his hardline stance during Trump’s first term, is expected to continue influencing immigration policy.
Despite these concerns, optimism arises from Trump’s incoming National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz, a former U.S. special forces officer and staunch supporter of Afghan resettlement programs.
Since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, over 183,000 Afghans have resettled in the U.S., fleeing Taliban persecution. Many of them include former interpreters, soldiers, and officials who face threats despite the Taliban’s proclaimed amnesty.
Recent UN reports accuse the Taliban of systematic arrests, torture, and executions of these individuals—a claim the Taliban denies.
Currently, more than 20,000 SIV applications are being processed, excluding applicants’ families, but rejection rates hover around 40%. Advocates warn that delays and denials leave thousands of lives in limbo.
As Trump prepares for his second term, his administration’s decisions on Afghan resettlement will test the United States’ commitment to its wartime allies and humanitarian obligations.
