Multiple veterans groups sent a letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday urging him to reconsider his recent executive orders on immigration and refugee programs, citing concerns about the safety of interpreters and their families who helped U.S. troops in Afghanistan. are listed.
The Executive Order, Reorganization of the U.S. Refugee Program, goes into effect Monday and suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Trump's order immediately suspends all processing and movement of USRAP refugees. This is mentioned because of threats from relationships with the United States, including service members' families and partner departments in Afghanistan.
Special Immigrant Visas (SIVS), people who work directly for or support the U.S. government, including interpreters and contractors, do not appear to be directly affected.
Two Americans freed in exchange for Taliban prisoners
President Donald Trump signs a series of executive orders at the White House on January 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
But they may be indirectly affected by implementation decisions or additional orders, according to #Afghanevac, a nonprofit organization that helps facilitate the relocation and resettlement of US allies in Afghanistan.
Veterans groups wanted to highlight the “unintended consequences” of the order, arguing it could have a negative impact on the mental health of countless veterans.
The letter, obtained by Fox News, states that many service members and veterans were formed with partners in Afghanistan to support the Global War on Terrorism, often at great personal risk to themselves and their families. We discussed bonds.
“The current suspension of certain pathways for these allies may unintentionally penalize individuals who qualify for special immigrant visas (SIVs) but do not currently hold them. Withdrawal from Afghanistan under the regime,” the letter read.
The Taliban holds a military parade with equipment photographed from the US military in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on November 8, 2021. (Murteza Khaliqi/Anadolu Agency byotty Images)
The group said it “fully supported” Trump's goal of prioritizing American security, but believed there was a clear opportunity to address the issue without harming its Afghan partners.
Although the executive order claims that the admission of additional refugees is “detrimental to the interests of the United States,” the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security will share the disparities and decide whether to admit refugees on a case-by-case basis. When we are in the national interest to point out that we can, and there is no threat to America's security or welfare.
Noting concerns about Afghan partners being “mistakenly” deported, the group said close relatives of partners facing serious threats from the Taliban could lose hope of safe passage. He said there is.
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They asked the president to consider SIV-eligible allies and their families to prevent them from being “inadvertently sidelined due to the lapses that occurred under the failed withdrawal,” according to the letter. I did.
“This approach will protect those who have risked their lives for our country while reinforcing your administration's clear commitment to national security,” they wrote.
According to #Afghanevac, USRAP has no impact on illegal immigration. Refugees are vetted before entering the United States, and crossing the border without permission must invalidate their status.
Chad Robichok, a U.S. Marine Corps reconnaissance veteran and Pentagon contractor, told Fox News that he spent many years of his life protecting American lives domestically and internationally, but he has paid dearly. was not created solely by U.S. service members.
A Taliban fighters patrol during celebrations marking the second anniversary of the withdrawal of US-led troops from Afghanistan in Kandahar, south of Afghanistan, on Tuesday, August 15. (AP/Abdul Khaliq)
“Afghan interpreters risked their lives for 20 years with us to defeat the evil of the Taliban,” Robichaux said. “When Afghanistan fell, I personally rescued Interpreter Aziz from that very evil thing and went to save him on American soil. President Trump is committed to keeping this sacred soil safe. However, in doing so, [it] endangering these same Afghans. These Afghan allies have demonstrated more patriotic courage than some of our own citizens, and I call for their due protection in the midst of these drastic security measures. . ”
The outage leaves thousands of Afghanistan's allies stranded in Limbo, according to #Afghanevac. The organization claims that at least 10-15,000 people have been fully vetted and are waiting to fly to Afghanistan, Pakistan and other countries.
Trump's order modestly waits for thousands of Afghan allies to wait for us
The groups that signed the letter include: Sheepdog Response; Berardo Group. Independent Fund; Diesel Jack Media; Special Operations Association of America; and Mighty Oaks Foundation.
Tim Kennedy – a Green Beret, former UFC fighter, founder of Sheepdog Response, and president of Save All Allies – told Fox News it's the nation's duty to protect its allies.
“I served some of the most patriotic heroes our country has to offer. I watched them sacrifice spectacularly and bravely to protect America,” Kennedy said. “Among those patriots are Afghans who risk threats and brutality from the Taliban to defend American ideals and American ideals that we hold dear.”
Tim Kennedy during the weigh-in for UFC 206 at the Air Canada Center. (Tom Szczerbowski-Usa Today Sports)
According to #Afghanevac, there are still between 150,000 and 250,000 Afghans seeking reconciliation. An estimated 40,000 to 60,000 people are refugees under USRAP.
“The Biden administration is in charge of a bloody exit from Afghanistan,” Kennedy said. “The allies we served did not receive the promises we provided. Although we applaud President Trump for doing the necessary work to secure our country from foreign threats. , it is our duty to protect and preserve the sanctity of our promise to these Afghan allies.
Approximately 180,000 Afghans have been resettled in the United States since the end of the 2021 war, Fox News Digital reported.
Many of those still waiting for refugee recognition are in hiding in pakistan, They fear deportation to Afghanistan.
President Joe Biden speaks in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Valls Seneta)
“We are confident that there would be more Americans in Arlington Cemetery than there were without the Afghans who risked their lives to help us,” said Daniel Elkins, CEO of the Special Operations Association of America. “
Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, defended former President Joe Biden on Fox News as having “abandoned” all of his allies in Afghanistan, so he is not willing to work with Save Allies. He said he is looking forward to continuing.
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“Unlike President Biden, who consistently dismissed pleas from veterans and service members to help our allies in Afghanistan, President Trump cares about America's veterans and service members and will listen to them.” McCall said.
The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment Thursday night.
Fox News Digital's Morgan Phillips contributed to this story.
