AILA President Allen Orr Responds to the Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

CONTACT:
George Tzamaras
202-507-7649
gtzamaras@aila.org

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

WASHINGTON, DC – Allen Orr, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) shared the following response regarding the current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan: “The Biden Administration must move to do everything possible to facilitate a safe, orderly departure from Afghanistan for thousands of Afghans who allied with the U.S., especially those who worked with U.S. military forces, non-governmental organizations, and media outlets — along with their family members— and face imminent risk of violence and death. In addition, the U.S. must expand and expedite the processing of evacuation flights for Afghans in danger including the thousands of women, girls, LGBTQIA+ people, and dissenters who are most assuredly in harm’s way, and implement other measures to safeguard displaced Afghans in flight. The lives of countless Afghans depend on the U.S. government acting promptly to exercise humanitarian parole, resume and rapidly scale up special immigrant visa (SIV) and immigrant visa processing. America has a moral responsibility to act, and act swiftly. This is the time for bold action from the United States to help mitigate what could be an unfathomable loss of life and the creation of another refugee crisis.”

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The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members.

Cite as AILA Doc. No. 21081840.