Congressman Jason Crow and Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Resettlement Process for Special Immigrant Visa Holders
WASHINGTON – Representative Jason Crow (D-CO-06) joined with his colleagues, Representatives Doris Matsui (D-CA-06),Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-03), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-10), in introducing the Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act, which aims to help Special Immigration Visa (SIV) holders with their transition to life in the United States.
"As a former Army Ranger, I might not be here today if it weren't for the local translators and contractors I worked with in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Congressman Crow. "They put their lives on the line, with the understanding that the U.S. would be there for them. Our support doesn't end once they arrive on American soil. The Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act will help us fulfill our promise and ensure our allies can build comfortable, successful lives in America.
The Afghan and Iraqi Allies Resettlement Improvement Act would:
- Direct the Department of Health and Human Services to survey SIV holders as part of their Annual Survey of Refugees.
- Direct the Department of State to identify and implement additional ways to deliver information to SIV applicants about life in the United States to assist with their adjustment process.
- Direct the Department of Defense and the Department of State to jointly establish and operate a program to offer employment to SIV holders as translators, interpreters, and cultural awareness instructors.
The SIV program provides lawful U.S. permanent residence for Iraqi and Afghan nationals who are in danger due to their work assisting the U.S. government through service as translators, interpreters, or in other capacities.
The legislation was endorsed by the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP).
Text of the legislation can be found here.
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