WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Neal Dunn, M.D. (FL-02) joined members of the “Honoring our Promises” working group in a letter to President Joe Biden urging immediate action in facilitating the evacuation of Afghans allies eligible for Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) from Kabul. Afghans who have actively supported U.S. efforts to advance democracy and human rights are likely targets of Taliban retribution.

“While I am aware of the complexities of the U.S. refugee admission program, if we do not act quickly, many of our Afghan allies will be tortured and killed.  Our Afghan friends and allies have stood by our sides for twenty years. They helped us when we needed them most, and now we must help them,” said Congressman Dunn. “I watched this end poorly when the U.S. left Vietnam, and we cannot leave our friends behind again. Let’s make this another Dunkirk moment, not another Saigon.”

The Allies Act that was passed last month provided the legislative fixes necessary to help save the lives of tens of thousands of Afghans who have assisted U.S. forces in the country over the last 20 years. However, the collapse of Kabul is imminent, and refuge is not coming fast enough for Afghan allies.

Congressman Dunn has been very vocal on this issue, even sharing an emotional message on the House floor urging passage of the Allies Act.

“I’m in direct contact with interpreters and other allies whose SIV processes are tied up for one bureaucratic reason or another and they are begging for refuge. Many have fled their cities and are currently in hotels with limited resources or on the streets fearing for their lives. I cannot and will not turn my back on them. They need help immediately,” Congressman Dunn continued.

The “Honoring Our Promises” working group hopes their letter will bring this issue to the attention of the President so the executive branch can act quickly to save lives. You can read the full letter here.

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