Perspectives: The US and Afghan Refugees

As the U.S. continues to sort out the mess in Afghanistan, tens of thousands of Afghan refugees are seeking safety by fleeing the country. The U.S. and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun accepting refugees, placing them at domestic military bases; the Pentagon said last week that roughly 20,000 refugees were already at U.S. bases. The State Department reportedly notified nonprofit organizations that help settle refugees this week that up to 50,000 more refugees in need of resettlement may soon arrive; it also expanded a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Iraqis and Afghans who helped the U.S. military to issue an additional 8,000 visas.

The idea of welcoming Afghan refugees has united some voices across political divides. Voices on both left and right have advocated the importance of the U.S. protecting Afghans with a smooth immigration process, particularly children and people who aided the U.S. military and now may face Taliban retribution. Some left-rated voices called for congressional action to ensure that refugees have assurances, such as an opportunity for permanent U.S. residence or reunification with family members who were left behind. Right-rated voices also focused on how refugees are being processed, where they're being kept, and what sort of measures the federal government is taking to make sure refugees are kept track of; some also highlighted claims that the State Department is holding up private charter flights carrying Americans and refugees from leaving Afghanistan.