From Church World Service (http://www.churchworldservice.org):
Lawmakers are dragging their feet on helping people who fled Afghanistan, and we’re not going to tolerate it.
It’s been months. So many Afghan families are still struggling with complete uncertainty whether they will have a way to stay in the U.S. long term, and their futures as a whole. Our government owes them answers, and together, we can make sure they’re delivered.
Right now, Amnesty is mobilizing a lobbying drive to convince our members of Congress that urgent action must happen. We’re combining a unique level of international expertise & grassroots power that can help really protect refugees.
Amnesty is demanding Congress acts fast to pass an Afghan Adjustment Act, which provides Afghans fleeing the Taliban a roadmap to U.S. citizenship — and we need YOUR help to make this happen. Please use our simple tool at https://act.amnestyusa.org/page/93479/action/1 to send a letter to your elected leaders.
Here are the facts: In the haste of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, many evacuees were brought into this country under a temporary status — meaning they’re granted only 1 or 2 years here. They have no clear path to permanent residency in the U.S.
This critical bill — which my colleagues are currently helping to shape alongside legislative aides — would help address the continuing crisis facing Afghans fleeing the Taliban by giving Afghans a path to be on the same legal status they would have received if they had been admitted as refugees.
The Afghan Adjustment Act is desperately needed to provide fundamental fairness to Afghans who have just escaped a deadly situation. Many of these Afghans arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs. If Congress fails to act, their futures will remain uncertain.
Amnesty’s strength comes from the sheer number of advocates like you who — when called upon — demand justice for people whose rights have been violated. This is your moment to show your support for human rights defenders and individuals who simply want to live without fear.
We need to ensure ALL refugees are welcomed and treated with dignity and respect, and you can count on Amnesty to press on ALL fronts.
That includes Haitian refugees, who have faced brutality and forced removal at the southern border in recent weeks. We’re calling on the Biden Administration to immediately halt all deportations to Haiti, and re-establish the right to seek asylum.
The images of families being terrorized for seeking safe haven are fresh in our minds. The U.S. has a moral obligation to welcome and support those who are fleeing violence and persecution in their homelands.
We’ve been deeply moved and motivated by the support and concern of Amnesty supporters like you. Please know that we are meeting weekly, sometimes daily, with U.S. lawmakers to help ensure Afghans and others have the ability to move forward with their lives.
Thank you for speaking out and demanding protections for those in need.
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