In Support of Welcoming Afghan Interpreters and Allies of the U.S. Armed Forces in the United States
Adopted at the 89th Annual Meeting in 2021
WHEREAS, the ongoing effort in Afghanistan represents the longest continuous armed conflict in the history of the United States; and
WHEREAS, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. has announced that all American troops will leave the country of Afghanistan by September 11, 2021; and
WHEREAS, the United States has a moral obligation to protect its Afghan interpreters and allies, who risked their lives in support of our troops, of the United States' mission in Afghanistan, and for the wellbeing of the people of Afghanistan; and
WHEREAS, the Afghan people, especially women and girls, face an uncertain future and the international community needs to assist and welcome people fleeing for their safety and wellbeing; and
WHEREAS, the lives and welfare of the United States' Afghan allies and their families could soon be at significant risk, subject to revenge attacks by the Taliban or other hostile forces, and the United States has a moral obligation to shield our allies from harm; and
WHEREAS, President Biden's Administration has announced a policy to relocate thousands of Afghan interpreters, drivers and others who worked with American forces outside of the country in an effort to keep them safe while they apply for entry to the United States; and
WHEREAS, the United States has conducted battlefield vetting of those Afghans who supported the U.S. and coalition missions, and the United States has an established Special Immigrant Visa program to support the evacuation and relocation of our Afghan allies, and a P-1 and P-2 visa program; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of State, the International Rescue Committee, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and many other partner U.S. agencies and nonprofit organizations are working diligently to secure Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) for our Afghan allies and their families and to aid them in their relocation efforts; and
WHEREAS, the International Rescue Committee has already resettled more than 16,000 Afghan SIV recipients and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has resettled 14,000 Afghan SIVs since Congress first established the program in 2006, helping these families to rebuild their lives in the United States and to successfully integrate as thriving members of their new communities,
WHEREAS, cities across America have developed welcoming policies to help newcomers integrate into their communities, including through the refugee resettlement process, and these policies will continue to serve Afghan refugees,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors recognizes the moral responsibility of the United States to protect our Afghan interpreters and allies, individuals who have risked their lives for our troops to support the United States' mission in Afghanistan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports every effort by the Administration to expedite processing of the thousands of pending SIV applications from our Afghan allies and their families, and supports all of the Administration's ongoing efforts to safely relocate these individuals and to secure their legal entry into the United States; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors expresses its appreciation to the International Rescue Committee, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and to the many national and local nonprofit organizations providing aid and assistance toward the relocation, resettlement and welcoming of our Afghan allies,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors supports our Afghan allies in their efforts to safely relocate to the United States, and our communities and residents all across the country stand ready to welcome our Afghan allies and their families with open arms, as friends and new neighbors.