We must act to help Afghans who served alongside US troops

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Reps. Ami Bera, M.D. (D-Calif.) and Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.)

As members of Congress from different parties, we don't see eye-to-eye on President Biden's decision to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. We don't agree on timing, scope, or the rationale for leaving. But one belief we do share is that the United States should do everything in its power to support those Afghans who risked their lives serving alongside American servicemembers over the past two

Throughout our time in Congress, we have both been strong advocates for the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program. We have met many of these brave men and women who are recipients of this visa. Some are translators and interpreters; others are doctors and engineers. This lifesaving program, created by Congress in 2009, provides a path to resettlement for Afghan nationals who assisted U.S. military and government operations during the wars in Afghanistan.

Since the creation of the program, over 20,000 SIVs have been issued to Afghan nationals. These individuals proudly served alongside our troops in the fight against terrorism. Not only did they put themselves in harm's way to defend our country, but many continue to be targeted for helping us. Our allies share a deep and abiding commitment to the American values of freedom, democracy, and prosperity - and we cannot leave them behind.

In addition to the support they showed U.S. personnel overseas, our Afghan allies have enhanced our communities here at home once they arrive in the United States. Take the case of Naweed, who courageously served alongside American soldiers in all 32 of Afghanistan's provinces, providing logistical support to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and then working for the U.S. Army as a researcher and freelancer.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/we-must-act-to-help-afghans-who-served-alongside-us-troops/ar-BB1gCJMU

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Viet Nam, Iraq, we never seem to learn the lessons.

In foreign countries, the folks that support us always get fucked. Why doesn't Congress pass a law that grants immediate citizenship to those that have demonstrated their support for US ideals and worked with us to support our goals?

[marble falls]

2. Our record on doing that for those we've compromised by employing them is very poor ...

... Viet Nam and Iraq come to mind and Iraq we ran out on locals we co-opted twice in less than 20 years.,

[Marcuse]

3. Yep.