Bethany Praises U.S. Support for Afghan Allies, Urges Continued Action

Grand Rapids, MI- Bethany Christian Services released the following statement after President Biden signed into law the bipartisan Emergency Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, which provides critical support for the resettlement of Afghan allies who aided the U.S. military:

“This life-saving measure demonstrates the bipartisan support in Congress and across the country for ensuring the safety of our Afghan allies,” said Chris Palusky, President & CEO of Bethany Christian Services. “I’m grateful this is now law, but the U.S. government must continue to step up its efforts to protect all of our allies who need safety.”

Among its provisions, the law increases the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) allotment by an additional 8,000 visas new Special Immigrant Visas and improves the SIV program. It also provides crucial assistance to help our Afghan allies resettle in the U.S. However, the United Nations estimates that 500,000 Afghans will flee their homes in the coming months. This bill importantly provides new resources to help Afghan refugees who seek protection in a third country

“Thousands of Afghans risked their lives to assist our military as translators, drivers, and in other support roles. They faithfully supported the U.S. mission for decades, and we promised not to leave them behind,” Palusky continued. “Our Afghan allies are in imminent danger because of their service. The dire situation they and their families face grows every day they remain in Afghanistan. We must keep our promise and evacuate them immediately.”